Raised bed soil calculator

Plan your garden budget. Calculate the volume of soil needed to fill your raised beds in cubic feet, yards, and standard bags.

16.0
Cubic Feet Needed
Cubic Yards 0.59
Number of Bags 11
Estimate Metric 453L

Don't go broke buying bags

Let's be honest: filling a massive raised bed with pre-bagged soil from a big-box store is a financial mistake. It'll drain your bank account faster than you think. Most seasoned growers I know mix their own using the "Mel's Mix" rule: 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss (or coconut coir), and 1/3 coarse vermiculite. It stays light and doesn't turn into a brick after the first rain.

If your bed is really deep (over 18 inches), don't fill the whole thing with expensive soil. Look up the Hugelkultur method: throw old logs, branches, and dry leaves in the bottom half. They'll break down over years, holding moisture like a sponge and saving you a fortune on soil volume.