How much soil for a 2×4 raised bed

A 2×4 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 8 cubic feet of soil: 4 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 0.3 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 4 cubic feet of each. Illinois Extension also notes the bed settles as the compost breaks down, so plan to top it up each year.

At 2 feet wide this bed can stand against a wall or fence: Illinois Extension's limit for a bed reached from one side.

Soil for a 2×4 bed (2 by 4 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in40.15234
8 in5.30.20346
10 in6.70.25457
12 in80.30468
18 in120.446812
24 in160.5981116

Cubic feet = length × width × depth in inches ÷ 12; cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; bags rounded up. Bed sizes and fill: Ken Johnson, University of Illinois Extension, “Raised Bed Gardening” (July 2023). Soil calculator for any size.

What fits in a 2×4 bed

A raised bed has no rows, so we space plants the USDA in-row distance apart both ways, in a grid (our method, not USDA's). The range runs from USDA's widest to its closest spacing.

Plants that fit in 2 by 4 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in2
Beets2–3 in128–288
Broccoli14–24 in2–3
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in2–3
Cabbage14–24 in2–3
Cantaloupe6 feet0
Carrots2–3 in128–288
Cauliflower14–24 in2–3
Celery4–6 in32–72
Chervil and Chives2–3 in128–288
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in8–18
Collard Greens1½–2 feet2
Corn Salad12 in8
Cucumbers3 feet0
Dandelion Greens8–12 in8–18
Eggplant3 feet0
Endive12 in8
Fennel4–6 in32–72
Garlic2–3 in128–288
Green Beans3–4 in72–128
Head Lettuce12–15 in3–8
Horseradish1½–2 feet2
Kale12–15 in3–8
Kohlrabi5–6 in32–36
Leeks2–3 in128–288
Lettuce6 in32
Lima Beans3–4 in72–128
Mustard Greens12 in8
New Zealand Spinach18 in2
Okra2 feet2
Onion Seed2–3 in128–288
Onion Sets2–3 in128–288
Onions2–3 in128–288
Parsley4–6 in32–72
Parsnips2–3 in128–288
Peas1 in1,152
Peppers1½–2 feet2
Potatoes10–18 in2–8
Radishes1 in1,152
Rhubarb3–4 feet0
Rutabaga2–3 in128–288
Salsify2–3 in128–288
Shallots2–3 in128–288
Sorrel5–8 in18–36
Soybeans3 in128
Spinach3–4 in72–128
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in2–3
Sweet Corn14–16 in3
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in3–8
Swiss Chard6 in32
Tomatoes1½–3 feet0–2
Turnips2–3 in128–288
Upland Cress2–3 in128–288
Watermelon2–3 feet0–2
Winter Squash2–3 feet0–2
Witloof Chicory6–8 in18–32

Spacing: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” table 2. Plan this bed for your town · Spacing chart.

Updated