Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 11 Inches Deep
A raised bed 4 by 8 feet and 11 inches tall holds 29.3 cubic feet. How much soil for a 4x8 raised bed 11 inches deep in bags: 15 two-cubic-foot bags. In bulk: about 1.09 cubic yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Volume: 4 × 8 × (11 ÷ 12) = 29.3 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: 29.3 ÷ 27 = 1.09 yd³.
- Bags: 29.3 ÷ 2 = 15 bags (2 cu ft), or ÷ 1.5 = 20 bags (1.5 cu ft).
The topsoil calculator handles any bed size.
Related: Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 6 Inches Deep
Soil for a 4x8 bed at other depths
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 2 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 16.0 | 0.59 | 8 |
| 8 in | 21.3 | 0.79 | 11 |
| 10 in | 26.7 | 0.99 | 14 |
| 12 in | 32.0 | 1.19 | 16 |
| 18 in | 48.0 | 1.78 | 24 |
| 24 in | 64.0 | 2.37 | 32 |
When bulk soil pays off
Bulk soil is usually cheaper per cubic yard than bags once you pass roughly 1 yard. At 1.09 yards, bulk delivery is likely the better deal. Fill several beds at once to make a delivery worthwhile.
Related: Soil for a 4x8 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
Expect the bed to sink a few inches as the soil settles and organic matter breaks down. Mound it a little at first and water it in before planting. Line the bottom with cardboard to smother grass instead of digging it out.
Common mistakes
Many people underestimate settling, so beds end up low by the second season. Others pile soil or mulch against tree trunks and siding, which invites rot and insects. Wet, sticky soil should wait for a drier day before spreading.
Timing the job
Spring and early fall are the easiest times to spread soil and mulch: the ground is workable and plants are ready to root. Avoid spreading right before heavy rain, which can wash fresh material off slopes and into drains.
Questions people ask
How many bags of soil for a 4x8 raised bed?
About 15 bags of 2 cubic feet at 11 inches deep.
How many cubic feet in a 4x8x11 inch bed?
29.3 cubic feet.
How many yards of soil for a 4x8 raised bed?
About 1.09 cubic yards at 11 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 4x8 Raised Bed 8 Inches Deep
- Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 10 Inches Deep
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.