How much soil for a 8×8 raised bed

A 8×8 raised bed 12 inches deep needs 64 cubic feet of soil: 32 bags of 2 cubic feet, or about 2.4 cubic yards.

Fill it with a 1:1 mix of compost and garden soil or topsoil (University of Illinois Extension): 32 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 8 feet wide, the middle of this bed is out of reach: Illinois Extension advises beds no wider than 4 feet when you can reach them from all sides.

Soil for a 8×8 bed (8 by 8 feet)
DepthCubic feetCubic yards2 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags1 cu ft bags
6 in321.19162232
8 in42.71.58222943
10 in53.31.98273654
12 in642.37324364
18 in963.56486496
24 in1284.746486128

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 8×8 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 8 by 8 feet
CropSpacingPlants
Asparagus18 in25
Beets2–3 in1,024–2,304
Broccoli14–24 in16–36
Brussels Sprouts14–24 in16–36
Cabbage14–24 in16–36
Cantaloupe6 feet1
Carrots2–3 in1,024–2,304
Cauliflower14–24 in16–36
Celery4–6 in256–576
Chervil and Chives2–3 in1,024–2,304
Chinese Cabbage8–12 in64–144
Collard Greens1½–2 feet16–25
Corn Salad12 in64
Cucumbers3 feet4
Dandelion Greens8–12 in64–144
Eggplant3 feet4
Endive12 in64
Fennel4–6 in256–576
Garlic2–3 in1,024–2,304
Green Beans3–4 in576–1,024
Head Lettuce12–15 in36–64
Horseradish1½–2 feet16–25
Kale12–15 in36–64
Kohlrabi5–6 in256–361
Leeks2–3 in1,024–2,304
Lettuce6 in256
Lima Beans3–4 in576–1,024
Mustard Greens12 in64
New Zealand Spinach18 in25
Okra2 feet16
Onion Seed2–3 in1,024–2,304
Onion Sets2–3 in1,024–2,304
Onions2–3 in1,024–2,304
Parsley4–6 in256–576
Parsnips2–3 in1,024–2,304
Peas1 in9,216
Peppers1½–2 feet16–25
Potatoes10–18 in25–81
Radishes1 in9,216
Rhubarb3–4 feet4
Rutabaga2–3 in1,024–2,304
Salsify2–3 in1,024–2,304
Shallots2–3 in1,024–2,304
Sorrel5–8 in144–361
Soybeans3 in1,024
Spinach3–4 in576–1,024
Summer Squash (Zucchini)15–18 in25–36
Sweet Corn14–16 in36
Sweet Potatoes12–14 in36–64
Swiss Chard6 in256
Tomatoes1½–3 feet4–25
Turnips2–3 in1,024–2,304
Upland Cress2–3 in1,024–2,304
Watermelon2–3 feet4–16
Winter Squash2–3 feet4–16
Witloof Chicory6–8 in144–256

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