Raised Bed Soil Guide
Raised bed soil needs to be different from native ground soil -- it needs to be lighter, better-draining, and more nutrient-rich. The ideal raised bed mix is roughly 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or coarse vermiculite for drainage. Some gardeners prefer Mels Mix (equal parts vermiculite, peat moss, and compost) for square foot gardening.
Common Raised Bed Volumes4x4x1 ft: 16 cu ft (0.59 cu yd)
4x8x1 ft: 32 cu ft (1.19 cu yd)
4x8x2 ft: 64 cu ft (2.37 cu yd)
3x6x1 ft: 18 cu ft (0.67 cu yd)
4x8x1 ft: 32 cu ft (1.19 cu yd)
4x8x2 ft: 64 cu ft (2.37 cu yd)
3x6x1 ft: 18 cu ft (0.67 cu yd)
Buying soil in bags from a home center costs 3-5x more per cubic foot than bulk delivery. For a single 4x4 bed, bags are convenient. For multiple beds totaling more than 1 cubic yard, call a landscape supplier for bulk delivery pricing.