Planting Density Calculator
Enter your block dimensions and spacing — get plant counts, hole counts, planting-material orders and mulch volume.
Spacing is permanent. Work the numbers here before a single hole is dug.
Planting density calculator
Square or triangular planting, in metric or imperial units.
hectares
straw ≈ 60 · grass clippings ≈ 250 · compost ≈ 500
How the numbers are worked out#
Square planting
plants per hectare = 10,000 ÷ (row spacing × within-row spacing)Triangular (offset) planting staggers alternate rows so plants sit over the gaps of the row beside them. At the same spacings this increases population by about 15%:
plants per hectare = 11,547 ÷ (row spacing × within-row spacing)Rows and plants per row come from the block dimensions, rounded down — you cannot plant a fraction of a row.
Mulch volume
ring: volume per plant = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth
band: volume per plant = band width × within-row spacing × depth
total = volume per plant × plants
mass = total volume × bulk densitySpacing reference#
| Design | Plants/ha | Triangular plants/ha | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 × 2.5 m | 2,222 | 2,555 | High density; needs irrigation and intensive management |
| 2.0 × 2.5 m | 2,000 | 2,309 | High density |
| 2.0 × 3.0 m | 1,667 | 1,925 | Commercial default |
| 2.5 × 3.0 m | 1,333 | 1,540 | Plantain, dryland, low input |
| 3.0 × 3.0 m | 1,111 | 1,283 | Large clones, windy sites |
Which to choose#
| Situation | Spacing |
|---|---|
| Cavendish, export, irrigated | 2.0 × 3.0 m (square or triangular) |
| Plantain (French/Horn) | 2.5 × 3.0 m |
| Dryland or low input | 2.5 × 3.0 m |
| Wind-prone site | 2.0 × 3.5 m for better anchorage |
| Steep contours | 2.0 × 3.0 m plus grass strips on the contour |
| Very high density | Only with strong irrigation, nutrition and desuckering |
Next steps#
- Order material with the reserve included: Propagation.
- Feed the population you just calculated: Fertiliser calculator.
- Plan the money: Farm budget.