Soil for a 2x8 Raised Bed 12 Inches Deep
A raised bed 2 by 8 feet and 12 inches tall holds 16.0 cubic feet. How much soil for a 2x8 raised bed 12 inches deep in bags: 8 two-cubic-foot bags. In bulk: about 0.59 cubic yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Volume: 2 × 8 × (12 ÷ 12) = 16.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: 16.0 ÷ 27 = 0.59 yd³.
- Bags: 16.0 ÷ 2 = 8 bags (2 cu ft), or ÷ 1.5 = 11 bags (1.5 cu ft).
The topsoil calculator handles any bed size.
Related: Soil for a 4x10 Raised Bed 12 Inches Deep
Soil for a 2x8 bed at other depths
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 2 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 8.0 | 0.30 | 4 |
| 8 in | 10.7 | 0.40 | 6 |
| 10 in | 13.3 | 0.49 | 7 |
| 12 in | 16.0 | 0.59 | 8 |
| 18 in | 24.0 | 0.89 | 12 |
| 24 in | 32.0 | 1.19 | 16 |
When bulk soil pays off
Bulk soil is usually cheaper per cubic yard than bags once you pass roughly 1 yard. At 0.59 yards, bags are simpler. Fill several beds at once to make a delivery worthwhile.
Related: Soil for a 5x10 Raised Bed 12 Inches Deep
A good raised bed mix
A common home mix is roughly 60 percent topsoil and 40 percent compost, or equal parts topsoil, compost and a drainage material. Avoid filling with plain clay fill dirt, which packs hard.
Settling
New soil settles, often by 10 to 20 percent in the first season. Overfill slightly or plan to top up with compost next spring. Line the bottom with cardboard to smother grass instead of digging it out.
Common mistakes
Buying by the bag for a large area is the classic error: dozens of bags cost far more than a bulk yard. Another is skipping compost or using unscreened soil full of clods and roots. Spreading soil when it is soaking wet compacts it and makes it hard for roots and water to move.
Timing the job
Plan deliveries for a dry stretch so the pile and the ground are workable. Early spring mulching suppresses weeds before they sprout, while fall soil work gives beds time to settle before planting.
Questions people ask
How many bags of soil for a 2x8 raised bed?
About 8 bags of 2 cubic feet at 12 inches deep.
How many cubic feet in a 2x8x12 inch bed?
16.0 cubic feet.
How many yards of soil for a 2x8 raised bed?
About 0.59 cubic yards at 12 inches deep.
What soil mix is best for raised beds?
Topsoil blended with compost, roughly 60/40, is a common starting point.
Will raised bed soil settle?
Yes, often 10 to 20 percent in the first season.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Cover?
- How Many Bags of Topsoil in a Yard? Size Chart
- Fill Dirt vs Topsoil: Differences, Uses and Tons to Order
- How Much Does a Yard of Dirt Weigh? Topsoil, Fill, Clay
- Soil for a 2x4 Raised Bed 10 Inches Deep
- Soil for a 2x6 Raised Bed 10 Inches Deep
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