Weights and Measures: Converting Garden Measurements

The planning, building, and maintaining of an indoor garden requires a variety of calculations. Although it would be simple and straightforward to have one system of measurement, the U.S. remains the only industrialized country in the world that uses the imperial system as its main system of measurement. It is important for indoor gardeners to be able to convert from imperial to metric and vice versa because fertilizer, lighting, ventilation, and HVAC companies may use different measurement systems for their recommendations. Below are a series of conversion charts that indoor growers can use to make conversions between imperial and metric systems.

Capacity Measure (Liquid Volume)

Conversions for liquid volume measurements will help growers with fertilizer dosage, pesticide dilution, hydroponic reservoir capacities, and other irrigation-related measurements.

Mass (Weight)

Weight or mass conversions can be used by horticulturists for more accurate dry fertilizer dosage and figuring the dry weight of culinary herbs or produce.

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Temperature

Indoor growers can use the following temperature conversions to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius and vice versa. Growroom temperatures are important to horticulturists, but those who make plant extracts also need precise temperatures.

To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32, then multiply by 0.5556 (or 5/9).
To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 (or 9/5), then add 32.

Length/Distance

Length/distance and area are useful for setting up an indoor growroom, calculating artificial lighting needs, and/or determining the area of an outdoor garden or farm.

Area (Square Measure)

Cubic Measure (Volume)

For indoor growers, understanding the cubic measure of a grow space is imperative for ventilation. Calculating loads for intake, exhaust, and HVAC equipment will all require cubic measurements along with other variables.

Indoor horticulturists who can convert from imperial to metric will be able to quickly and accurately take important measurements in their growrooms. From fertilizing to calculating lighting for an area to knowing the cubic volume of a space for ventilation, indoor growers are constantly taking measurements that will affect the performance of their gardens. Those who can accurately convert these measurements based on manufacturer recommendations will be that much more successful.