Groundcover Plant Calculator

1. Gross area:
   • Rectangle: A = L × W
   • Circle: A = π × R²
   • Custom: A = entered area
2. Net area: A_net = max(0, A_gross − A_exclusions)
3. Slope adjustment (approx.): A_adj = A_net × √(1 + grade²), where grade = slope% / 100
4. Density from spacing:
   • Convert spacing to feet or meters: s
   • Square grid: density = 1 / s²
   • Triangular (staggered): density = (1 / s²) × (1 / 0.8660)
5. Plants needed: N = ceil(A_adj × density × (1 + waste%))
6. Trays: trays = ceil(N / tray_size)

• Select units, then choose the bed shape.
• Enter dimensions, plus any non-planting exclusion areas.
• Add slope percent if the bed is on an incline.
• Set spacing and pattern to match your planting plan.
• Use a realistic waste value for corners and replacements.
• Enter price and crew rate to estimate job cost.
• After calculating, download CSV or PDF for records.

1) Why groundcover takeoff matters

Groundcover beds are priced by area but installed by plant count. A fast, defensible takeoff prevents shortages, reorders, and uneven coverage. This calculator converts measured beds into plants, flats, and costs, so material, labor, and schedule stay aligned from submittals to punch‑list.

2) Measuring bed area accurately

Pick the bed shape that matches your stakeout: rectangle, circle, triangle, or custom area for odd shapes. Subtract exclusions like tree pits, valve boxes, stepping stones, or boulders. Accurate exclusions matter most at tight spacing because a small non‑planting zone can remove many plants.

3) Spacing and planting pattern

Spacing is center‑to‑center. A square grid assigns each plant spacing² of area. A staggered (triangular) layout interlocks rows; effective area per plant is spacing² × 0.866, which generally increases the plant count for the same spacing while improving uniformity at the edges.

4) Slope and contour allowance

On slopes, plan‑view measurements understate true surface area. Enter percent grade to apply a simple slope factor, nudging counts upward for banks and berms. This helps avoid visible gaps that appear after settlement, erosion, and irrigation cycles, especially on long, continuous runs.

5) Waste, replacements, and overage

Use waste to cover cuts at borders, damaged plugs, and layout misses. Clean rectangles often need 5–8% overage; curving beds with many obstructions may need 10–12%. If lead times are long, add a small replacement allowance so density stays consistent during warranty.

6) Flats, trays, and ordering strategy

Nurseries ship groundcovers in flats or trays (common counts include 18, 32, and 50). Converting total plants into whole flats simplifies procurement and avoids partial‑flat confusion. The calculator rounds up to ensure enough material arrives and reports leftovers for infill or touch‑ups.

7) Labor planning and production rates

Estimate minutes per plant, then scale by crew size and hourly rate. Tight spacing increases handling time, while clean access, pre‑marked grids, and staged materials improve throughput. Track one installed bed to calibrate your minutes‑per‑plant rate and strengthen change‑order documentation.

8) Cost outputs you can explain

Material cost equals plant price × total plants (including waste). Labor cost equals estimated hours × crew rate. Separating these figures supports bid reviews and alternates, such as larger pots at wider spacing versus plugs at tighter spacing. Clear math also helps client approvals.

How do I choose plant spacing?

Use the species label and the desired time-to-fill. Tighter spacing fills faster but costs more. For plugs, 150–300 mm is common; for larger pots, 300–450 mm may be suitable.

What’s the difference between square and staggered patterns?

Square uses aligned rows. Staggered offsets every other row, increasing uniform coverage. The effective area per plant is smaller, so total plant count is typically higher for the same spacing.

Should I include slope percent for gentle grades?

If the bed is nearly flat, you can leave slope at 0%. For noticeable banks, add the grade so the estimate better reflects true surface area and reduces the risk of short ordering.

Why does the calculator round flats up?

Plants are delivered in whole flats or trays. Rounding up ensures enough material is on site. The leftover count can be used for edge densification, replacements, or warranty stock.

How do I estimate labor more realistically?

Start with minutes per plant and adjust for access, soil condition, and layout complexity. Add time for staking, irrigation checks, and cleanup. Field-tracking one job provides a reliable baseline.

Can I subtract patios, rocks, or tree pits?

Yes. Enter exclusion area to remove non-planting zones from the takeoff. Measure each obstruction and sum them, or estimate conservatively; accurate exclusions reduce waste and improve ordering.

When should I add higher waste percent?

Use higher waste for curved edges, tight corners, mixed species patterns, or fragile plugs. Also increase waste when delivery delays make replacements hard to source quickly.