How much soil for a 4×6 raised bed

A 4×6 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 24 cubic feet of soil: 12 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 0.9 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 12 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 4×6 bed (4 by 6 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in120.446812
8 in160.5981116
10 in200.74101420
12 in240.89121624
18 in361.33182436
24 in481.78243248

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 4×6 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 4 by 6 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in8
Beets2–3 in384–864
Broccoli14–24 in6–15
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in6–15
Cabbage14–24 in6–15
Cantaloupe6 feet0
Carrots2–3 in384–864
Cauliflower14–24 in6–15
Celery4–6 in96–216
Chervil and Chives2–3 in384–864
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in24–54
Collard Greens1½–2 feet6–8
Corn Salad12 in24
Cucumbers3 feet2
Dandelion Greens8–12 in24–54
Eggplant3 feet2
Endive12 in24
Fennel4–6 in96–216
Garlic2–3 in384–864
Green Beans3–4 in216–384
Head Lettuce12–15 in12–24
Horseradish1½–2 feet6–8
Kale12–15 in12–24
Kohlrabi5–6 in96–126
Leeks2–3 in384–864
Lettuce6 in96
Lima Beans3–4 in216–384
Mustard Greens12 in24
New Zealand Spinach18 in8
Okra2 feet6
Onion Seed2–3 in384–864
Onion Sets2–3 in384–864
Onions2–3 in384–864
Parsley4–6 in96–216
Parsnips2–3 in384–864
Peas1 in3,456
Peppers1½–2 feet6–8
Potatoes10–18 in8–28
Radishes1 in3,456
Rhubarb3–4 feet1–2
Rutabaga2–3 in384–864
Salsify2–3 in384–864
Shallots2–3 in384–864
Sorrel5–8 in54–126
Soybeans3 in384
Spinach3–4 in216–384
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in8–12
Sweet Corn14–16 in12–15
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in15–24
Swiss Chard6 in96
Tomatoes1½–3 feet2–8
Turnips2–3 in384–864
Upland Cress2–3 in384–864
Watermelon2–3 feet2–6
Winter Squash2–3 feet2–6
Witloof Chicory6–8 in54–96

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