Important reminder: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculation. But before purchasing materials for any project, please check amounts with your suppliers or contractors.

It's easy to determine how many plants to buy for your flower bed, if you know the recommended spacing range of the plants you want to use. We've offered three spacing ranges. If you wish to use plants from several spacing ranges, you will need to make adjustments to the calculations.

A few tips: Seed packets, flower labels and local nurseries also can provide recommended spacing ranges for the flowers and plants you want to use.

Space new plants so they have room to grow, yet leave no large spaces for weeds to flourish. For this calculator, plants that require the same range of recommended spacing have been grouped together. But different varieties of the same species may require different recommended spacing. Find plants for your hardiness zone that will work in each category.

Before planting, till the soil to a depth of 6 inches, and add fertilizer and/or organic material if necessary.