How to Calculate Square Footage And Purchase the Right Amount of Wildflower Seed In 3 Easy Steps
Before purchasing wildflower seeds to plant your meadow, calculate the square footage of your meadow or garden bed. This guide will walk you through the 3 easy steps, so that you’ll know how much seed you need!
Please read ourWildflower Seed Planting Instructions for the best results. This step-by-step guide will outline everything you need to grow a successful wildflower meadow.
1. Measure
For Squares or Rectangles: measure the length and width of the space where you want to plant.
For Circles: find the radius by measuring the widest part of your planting space and divide by 2.
2. Calculate Square Footage
For Squares or Rectangles: length (in feet) x width (in feet) = square feet
For example, a garden that measures 50 feet x 30 feet = 1500 sq. ft.
For Circles: 3.14 x radius (in feet) x radius = square feet
For example, a circular garden that is 20 feet across has a radius of 10 feet. 10 x 10 x 3.14 = 314 sq. ft.
(The mathematical formula for the area of a circle is Π · r2 – the Π symbol is pronounced Pi and represents approximately 3.142, and r2 stands for radius squared.)
3. Find How Much Seed You Need
The amount of seed you should plant depends on the flower display you want. We typically recommend planting on the higher side for a lush meadow. Plant on the lower side for a more scattered look.
For Individual Species: The recommended rates vary greatly from species to species. Check the product page, or contact us with questions.
For Wildflower Mixes: Reference the table below.
| This Much Seed Covers… | This Much Square Footage |
|---|---|
| 1/4 lb | 250 – 500 sq. ft. |
| 1/2 lb | 500 – 1,000 sq. ft. |
| 1 lb | 1,000 – 2,000 sq. ft. |
| 5 lbs | 5,000 – 10,000 sq. ft. |
| 10 lbs | 10,000 – 25,000 sq. ft. |
Acreage
- 1 Acre = 43,000 sq.ft.
- 1/2 Acre = 21,500 sq. ft.
- 1/4 Acre = 10,750 sq.ft.
- 1/10 Acre = 4,300 sq. ft.
Tips For Larger Plantings: If you have a large site, from 1/2 acre to several acres, your planting rate may be affected by land conditions. If you have heavy weeds on the site now, some erosion, generally poor soil, or other land problems, additional seed is usually the most economical solution, since installation of a large planting usually costs more than the seed itself. If your site does have these problems and you want full coverage, use 1 pound per 1000 sq. ft.
