How much soil for a 4×12 raised bed

A 4×12 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 48 cubic feet of soil: 24 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 1.8 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 24 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 4 feet wide this bed is reachable from both sides, within Illinois Extension's 4-foot limit for beds you can walk all the way around.

Soil for a 4×12 bed (4 by 12 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in240.89121624
8 in321.19162232
10 in401.48202740
12 in481.78243248
18 in722.67364872
24 in963.56486496

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 4×12 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 4 by 12 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in16
Beets2–3 in768–1,728
Broccoli14–24 in12–30
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in12–30
Cabbage14–24 in12–30
Cantaloupe6 feet0
Carrots2–3 in768–1,728
Cauliflower14–24 in12–30
Celery4–6 in192–432
Chervil and Chives2–3 in768–1,728
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in48–108
Collard Greens1½–2 feet12–16
Corn Salad12 in48
Cucumbers3 feet4
Dandelion Greens8–12 in48–108
Eggplant3 feet4
Endive12 in48
Fennel4–6 in192–432
Garlic2–3 in768–1,728
Green Beans3–4 in432–768
Head Lettuce12–15 in27–48
Horseradish1½–2 feet12–16
Kale12–15 in27–48
Kohlrabi5–6 in192–252
Leeks2–3 in768–1,728
Lettuce6 in192
Lima Beans3–4 in432–768
Mustard Greens12 in48
New Zealand Spinach18 in16
Okra2 feet12
Onion Seed2–3 in768–1,728
Onion Sets2–3 in768–1,728
Onions2–3 in768–1,728
Parsley4–6 in192–432
Parsnips2–3 in768–1,728
Peas1 in6,912
Peppers1½–2 feet12–16
Potatoes10–18 in16–56
Radishes1 in6,912
Rhubarb3–4 feet3–4
Rutabaga2–3 in768–1,728
Salsify2–3 in768–1,728
Shallots2–3 in768–1,728
Sorrel5–8 in108–252
Soybeans3 in768
Spinach3–4 in432–768
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in16–27
Sweet Corn14–16 in27–30
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in30–48
Swiss Chard6 in192
Tomatoes1½–3 feet4–16
Turnips2–3 in768–1,728
Upland Cress2–3 in768–1,728
Watermelon2–3 feet4–12
Winter Squash2–3 feet4–12
Witloof Chicory6–8 in108–192

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