Reference charts
Charts you can look up mid-job
No calculator needed for these — just the number. Each chart below covers a spacing, coverage, sizing or conversion question that comes up constantly around the house and garden, gathered from manufacturer specs and standard trade practice.
Vegetable Spacing Chart: In-Row and Between-Row Distances
Recommended in-row and between-row spacing for the most commonly grown vegetables, in a raised bed or a traditional row garden.
GardenSeed Sowing Depth Chart by Vegetable and Flower
How deep to sow common vegetable and flower seeds directly in the garden, plus days to germination as a rule of thumb.
GardenMulch Coverage Chart: Square Feet per Cubic Yard by Depth
How much area one cubic yard of mulch covers at common application depths, plus recommended depth by mulch type.
HomePaint Coverage Chart by Surface Type
How far a gallon of paint typically goes on different surfaces, and why porous or textured surfaces need more coats.
HomeTile Trowel Size Chart by Tile Size
Which notched-trowel size to use for mosaic, small, and large-format tile, matched to typical thinset coverage.
HomeConcrete Bag Chart: Bags Needed per Cubic Yard and Cubic Foot
How many 40, 60, and 80 lb bags of pre-mixed concrete it takes to make a cubic yard or cubic foot, for small pours.
HomeLumber Nominal vs. Actual Size Chart
The real, measured dimensions behind common nominal lumber sizes like a 2x4 or a 1x6, and why they're smaller than the name suggests.
HomeScrew and Nail Size Guide for Common Projects
Which screw gauge/length or nail size (penny size) to use for framing, trim, decking, and drywall.
HomeR-Value Chart by Insulation Material and Thickness
Insulating value (R-value) per inch for common insulation materials, and typical R-value at standard installed thicknesses.
GardenHouseplant Light Level Chart by Window Exposure
How to translate 'low, medium, bright indirect, and direct light' plant-care labels into actual window direction and distance.
GardenGrass Seeding Rate Chart by Species
How many pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet to use for new lawns and overseeding, by common turfgrass species.
HomeDrill Bit and Wall Anchor Size Chart
Which drill bit size pairs with common screw sizes and wall anchors, for wood, drywall, and masonry.
GardenFertilizer N-P-K Ratio Guide by Plant Type
Typical nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratios to look for on fertilizer labels for lawns, vegetables, and flowering plants.
GardenWatering Frequency Chart by Plant and Container Type
How often to water common garden plants and container sizes, adjusted for hot weather.
GardenPruning Calendar Chart by Plant Type
When to prune common trees, shrubs, and perennials, organized by bloom timing and dormancy.
GardenCompanion Planting Pairing Chart
Well-supported companion planting pairs and plants to keep apart, for common vegetable garden crops.
GardenCompost Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio Chart by Material
Approximate carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios for common compost ingredients, to help balance greens and browns.
HomePaint Sheen Recommendation Chart by Room
Which paint sheen — flat to high-gloss — suits each room, balancing durability, cleanability, and how it hides wall flaws.
HomeExtension Cord Gauge Chart by Length and Amperage
Which wire gauge extension cord to use for a given length and tool amperage, to avoid overheating and voltage drop.
HomeHVAC Air Filter MERV Rating Chart
What each MERV rating range filters out, and the trade-off between filtration and airflow restriction.
HomeSmoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Placement Chart
Where building code and safety guidance recommend placing smoke and CO alarms by room and floor.
HomeFlooring Expansion Gap Chart by Material
How much perimeter expansion gap to leave for laminate, engineered wood, solid hardwood, and vinyl flooring.
HomeWallpaper Pattern Repeat Waste Chart
How much extra wallpaper to buy based on the pattern's vertical repeat, to account for matching waste.
HomeLED Lumens-to-Watts Equivalent Chart
How LED wattage compares to old incandescent bulb brightness, using lumens as the actual measure of light output.