How much soil for a 2×8 raised bed

A 2×8 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 16 cubic feet of soil: 8 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 0.6 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 8 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 2×8 bed (2 by 8 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in80.30468
8 in10.70.406811
10 in13.30.497914
12 in160.5981116
18 in240.89121624
24 in321.19162232

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 2×8 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 8 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in5
Beets2–3 in256–576
Broccoli14–24 in4–6
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in4–6
Cabbage14–24 in4–6
Cantaloupe6 feet0
Carrots2–3 in256–576
Cauliflower14–24 in4–6
Celery4–6 in64–144
Chervil and Chives2–3 in256–576
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in16–36
Collard Greens1½–2 feet4–5
Corn Salad12 in16
Cucumbers3 feet0
Dandelion Greens8–12 in16–36
Eggplant3 feet0
Endive12 in16
Fennel4–6 in64–144
Garlic2–3 in256–576
Green Beans3–4 in144–256
Head Lettuce12–15 in6–16
Horseradish1½–2 feet4–5
Kale12–15 in6–16
Kohlrabi5–6 in64–76
Leeks2–3 in256–576
Lettuce6 in64
Lima Beans3–4 in144–256
Mustard Greens12 in16
New Zealand Spinach18 in5
Okra2 feet4
Onion Seed2–3 in256–576
Onion Sets2–3 in256–576
Onions2–3 in256–576
Parsley4–6 in64–144
Parsnips2–3 in256–576
Peas1 in2,304
Peppers1½–2 feet4–5
Potatoes10–18 in5–18
Radishes1 in2,304
Rhubarb3–4 feet0
Rutabaga2–3 in256–576
Salsify2–3 in256–576
Shallots2–3 in256–576
Sorrel5–8 in36–76
Soybeans3 in256
Spinach3–4 in144–256
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in5–6
Sweet Corn14–16 in6
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in6–16
Swiss Chard6 in64
Tomatoes1½–3 feet0–5
Turnips2–3 in256–576
Upland Cress2–3 in256–576
Watermelon2–3 feet0–4
Winter Squash2–3 feet0–4
Witloof Chicory6–8 in36–64

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