2 × 8 ft bed: the short answer
Filled 10 inches deep, a 2 × 8 ft raised bed needs about 13.3 cubic feet of soil — that's roughly 9 bags of 1.5 cu ft (or 7 of the 2 cu ft size), and about 0.49 cubic yards if you order in bulk.
Bed size
Soil for a 2 × 8 ft raised bed
A 2 × 8 ft bed filled 10 inches deep takes about 13.3 cubic feet of soil — about 9 bags of 1.5 cu ft, or 0.49 cubic yards in bulk. Change the depth, bag size, or mix below for your exact build.
Soil needed
—Enter bed size and depth to estimate soil.
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Soil mix breakdown
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Shopping list
Run the calculator to prepare a list.
Estimate only.
Based on the bed volume you enter. Fresh soil and compost settle, so buying a little extra is
normal. Bag counts are rounded up; confirm against your supplier's bag coverage.
Before you buy
Soil and compost settle after the first few waterings, so buying one extra bag is sensible. If you need close to a cubic yard, compare bulk delivery — it's usually cheaper per cubic foot than bags. Adjust depth and bag size in the calculator for your exact build.
Standard volume math at 10″ depth; 1 cu yd = 27 cu ft. Estimates only.
What a 2 × 8 ft bed is usually used for
A 2 × 8 ft raised bed is a long, narrow planter that fits along a fence, path, garage wall, or balcony rail while giving a surprising amount of growing space. It is best for low crops like greens, herbs, and strawberries, where the narrow width makes harvesting easy from one side.
How to decide
Narrow beds dry out faster in summer and hold less moisture buffer, so the mix and watering plan matter more than the exact volume. Use a moisture-retentive blend with compost and consider mulch on the surface. Because the bed is shallow relative to its length, keep the fill even rather than heaping it at one end.
Checks before you fill
- Plan for faster drying on a narrow bed; mulch and consistent watering help.
- Confirm the fill depth matches the walls after settling, not just at install.
- Choose low-growing crops that suit a narrow, easily reached footprint.
FAQ
How much soil for a 2 × 8 ft raised bed?
At 10 inches deep, a 2 × 8 ft bed holds about 13.3 cubic feet of soil (0.49 cubic yards). In bags that's about 9 × 1.5 cu ft, or 7 × 2 cu ft. Deeper or shallower fills scale directly with depth — use the calculator above to match yours.
How many bags of soil for a 2 × 8 ft bed?
About 9 bags if you buy 1.5 cu ft bags, or 7 bags of the larger 2 cu ft size. Always round up — and add one extra bag, since compost settles after watering.
What's the Mel's Mix for a 2 × 8 ft bed?
Mel's Mix is equal thirds compost, peat moss or coir, and coarse vermiculite. For 13.3 cu ft that's about 4.4 cu ft of each — roughly 3 bags of 1.5 cu ft per component.
Sources & verification
Source links and page assumptions reviewed .
- Square Foot Gardening: Mel's Mix method — Defines Mel's Mix as equal volumes of blended compost, coarse vermiculite, and peat moss or coir.
Estimate only, based on standard volume math at 10″ depth. Real fill varies with settling and supplier bag sizes; bag counts are rounded up. Confirm against your supplier before ordering.