How much soil for a 2×6 raised bed

A 2×6 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 12 cubic feet of soil: 6 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 0.4 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 6 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 2×6 bed (2 by 6 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in60.22346
8 in80.30468
10 in100.375710
12 in120.446812
18 in180.6791218
24 in240.89121624

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 2×6 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 6 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in4
Beets2–3 in192–432
Broccoli14–24 in3–5
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in3–5
Cabbage14–24 in3–5
Cantaloupe6 feet0
Carrots2–3 in192–432
Cauliflower14–24 in3–5
Celery4–6 in48–108
Chervil and Chives2–3 in192–432
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in12–27
Collard Greens1½–2 feet3–4
Corn Salad12 in12
Cucumbers3 feet0
Dandelion Greens8–12 in12–27
Eggplant3 feet0
Endive12 in12
Fennel4–6 in48–108
Garlic2–3 in192–432
Green Beans3–4 in108–192
Head Lettuce12–15 in4–12
Horseradish1½–2 feet3–4
Kale12–15 in4–12
Kohlrabi5–6 in48–56
Leeks2–3 in192–432
Lettuce6 in48
Lima Beans3–4 in108–192
Mustard Greens12 in12
New Zealand Spinach18 in4
Okra2 feet3
Onion Seed2–3 in192–432
Onion Sets2–3 in192–432
Onions2–3 in192–432
Parsley4–6 in48–108
Parsnips2–3 in192–432
Peas1 in1,728
Peppers1½–2 feet3–4
Potatoes10–18 in4–14
Radishes1 in1,728
Rhubarb3–4 feet0
Rutabaga2–3 in192–432
Salsify2–3 in192–432
Shallots2–3 in192–432
Sorrel5–8 in27–56
Soybeans3 in192
Spinach3–4 in108–192
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in4
Sweet Corn14–16 in4–5
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in5–12
Swiss Chard6 in48
Tomatoes1½–3 feet0–4
Turnips2–3 in192–432
Upland Cress2–3 in192–432
Watermelon2–3 feet0–3
Winter Squash2–3 feet0–3
Witloof Chicory6–8 in27–48

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