Buy the right amount of dirt the first time.
Enter your raised bed dimensions and get exact soil, mulch, compost, or gravel volume — plus bag count, weight, and rough cost.
Volume
32.0 cu ft
1.19 cu yd
Bags Needed
32
1 cu ft bag
Est. Cost
$36 – $65
bulk delivery pricing
Weight
2,400 lbs
1.2 tons
Tips
Fill the bottom third with logs and branches (hugelkultur) to save on soil and improve drainage.
Line the bed with landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing up through the soil.
Mix in compost at a 70/30 ratio with soil for the best growing results.
Order 10% extra material to account for settling over the first few weeks.
Design your garden bed layout with AI
Upload a photo of your space and see raised bed designs rendered in your actual yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How deep should a raised garden bed be?
Most vegetables need 12 inches of soil depth. Root vegetables like carrots need 18-24 inches. Herbs and lettuce can grow in as little as 6-8 inches.
02 How many bags of soil do I need for a 4x8 raised bed?
A 4x8 foot raised bed at 12 inches deep needs about 32 cubic feet of soil, which is roughly 32 standard 1 cubic foot bags or about 1.2 cubic yards of bulk soil.
03 What is the best soil mix for raised beds?
A classic mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or vermiculite. For square foot gardening, use equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and compost (Mel's Mix).
04 Is it cheaper to buy soil in bulk or in bags?
Bulk delivery is almost always cheaper for beds larger than 4x4 feet. A cubic yard of bulk soil costs $30-55, while the same volume in bags costs $80-150.
05 How much does raised bed soil weigh?
Soil weighs approximately 75 lbs per cubic foot when moist. A 4x8x1ft bed holds about 32 cubic feet of soil, weighing roughly 2,400 lbs (1.2 tons).
06 Can I use hugelkultur to save on soil?
Yes. Filling the bottom third of a deep bed with logs, branches, and leaves reduces soil needed by 30% and improves long-term fertility as the wood decomposes.