Soil Needed
32 cu ft
Cubic Yards
1.19
2 cu ft Bags
16
Total Soil Needed
32
cubic feet (1.19 cu yd)
1 cu ft Bags
32
2 cu ft Bags
16
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Inputs
Result
Volume = 8 x 4 x (12/12) = 32.0 cu ft = 1.19 cu yd. Basic mix: topsoil = 32 x 0.6 = 19.2, compost = 32 x 0.3 = 9.6, amendments = 32 x 0.1 = 3.2 cu ft.
Inputs
Result
Volume = 4 x 4 x (10/12) = 13.3 cu ft = 0.49 cu yd. Mel's Mix: compost = 13.3 / 3 = 4.4, vermiculite = 13.3 / 3 = 4.4 cu ft. (Peat moss for the third portion.)
Calculate length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet. A 4×8 foot bed that's 12 inches deep needs 32 cubic feet, or about 1.2 cubic yards of soil.
A good basic mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% amendments (perlite/vermiculite). For square foot gardening, use equal parts compost, peat moss, and vermiculite.
| Mix Type | Ratio | Cost/cu yd | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 60/30/10 | $30–$50 | Budget gardens, most vegetables |
| Premium | 40/40/20 | $50–$80 | Heavy feeders (tomatoes, squash) |
| Mel's Mix | 1/3 each | $80–$120 | Square foot gardening, herbs |
Most vegetables need 8-12 inches of soil. Root vegetables like carrots need 12+ inches. For most gardens, 10-12 inches provides good growing depth.
You can line the bottom with cardboard to suppress weeds, or hardware cloth to prevent burrowing pests. Avoid plastic as it prevents drainage.
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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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