Raised garden bed plans with the soil worked out
Every bed is at most 4 ft wide so you reach the middle from both sides, holds at least 10 in of soil, and gets a wall support at most every 4 ft. The plan tells you how much soil to buy, in cubic feet, cubic yards and bags, and prices it on the shopping list.
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Classic box bed
A 2x6 box with 4x4 corner posts: the simplest bed to build and fill. Up to 4 ft wide, so you reach the middle from both sides.
- Size
- 8' x 4'
- Skill
- Easy
- Materials
- from $125
Three-step tiered bed
Three stepped levels, 11, 16.5 and 22 in deep: herbs and greens in front, root crops in the deep back step.
- Size
- 8' x 4'
- Skill
- Medium
- Materials
- from $339
L-shaped corner bed
Two 3 ft wide arms that wrap a corner of the yard; every spot is in easy reach.
- Size
- 8' x 6'
- Skill
- Medium
- Materials
- from $231
4x8 raised bed: height, soil and cost
One 4 x 8 ft box bed at each height, with the soil it holds and the estimated materials (soil included).
| Height | Soil depth | Soil | Bags (1.5 cu ft) | Economy (est.) | Durable (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 in | 10 in | 23.9 cu ft (0.9 cu yd) | 16 | $202–$332 | $289–$482 |
| 16.5 in | 15.5 in | 37.1 cu ft (1.4 cu yd) | 25 | $289–$476 | $400–$668 |
| 22 in | 21 in | 50.2 cu ft (1.9 cu yd) | 34 | $376–$620 | $511–$854 |
Worked out by our plan engine. Costs are estimates from typical US home-center prices, bagged soil included. Height = 5.5 in per 2x6 board.
Raised bed questions
How wide should a raised bed be?
How deep should a raised bed be?
How much soil does a 4x8 raised bed need?
Is pressure-treated wood safe for a vegetable bed?
More in our guide: How deep should a raised garden bed be?
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Two bed concepts sized for your space, with the soil worked out, free in 3D.