How much soil for a 4×8 raised bed

A 4×8 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 32 cubic feet of soil: 16 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 1.2 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 16 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 4×8 bed (4 by 8 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in160.5981116
8 in21.30.79111522
10 in26.70.99141827
12 in321.19162232
18 in481.78243248
24 in642.37324364

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 4×8 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 4 by 8 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in10
Beets2–3 in512–1,152
Broccoli14–24 in8–18
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in8–18
Cabbage14–24 in8–18
Cantaloupe6 feet0
Carrots2–3 in512–1,152
Cauliflower14–24 in8–18
Celery4–6 in128–288
Chervil and Chives2–3 in512–1,152
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in32–72
Collard Greens1½–2 feet8–10
Corn Salad12 in32
Cucumbers3 feet2
Dandelion Greens8–12 in32–72
Eggplant3 feet2
Endive12 in32
Fennel4–6 in128–288
Garlic2–3 in512–1,152
Green Beans3–4 in288–512
Head Lettuce12–15 in18–32
Horseradish1½–2 feet8–10
Kale12–15 in18–32
Kohlrabi5–6 in128–171
Leeks2–3 in512–1,152
Lettuce6 in128
Lima Beans3–4 in288–512
Mustard Greens12 in32
New Zealand Spinach18 in10
Okra2 feet8
Onion Seed2–3 in512–1,152
Onion Sets2–3 in512–1,152
Onions2–3 in512–1,152
Parsley4–6 in128–288
Parsnips2–3 in512–1,152
Peas1 in4,608
Peppers1½–2 feet8–10
Potatoes10–18 in10–36
Radishes1 in4,608
Rhubarb3–4 feet2
Rutabaga2–3 in512–1,152
Salsify2–3 in512–1,152
Shallots2–3 in512–1,152
Sorrel5–8 in72–171
Soybeans3 in512
Spinach3–4 in288–512
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in10–18
Sweet Corn14–16 in18
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in18–32
Swiss Chard6 in128
Tomatoes1½–3 feet2–10
Turnips2–3 in512–1,152
Upland Cress2–3 in512–1,152
Watermelon2–3 feet2–8
Winter Squash2–3 feet2–8
Witloof Chicory6–8 in72–128

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