How much does raised bed soil cost?

Delivered in Florida, garden soil mix starts from $56.29/yd³ on a full truck (about 18 yd³). For a small load, 2 yd³ from $456.24 delivered (garden soil mix). Delivery is included, with no separate fee; the minimum order is 1 yd³, and smaller loads cost more per yd³. Calculate above, then enter your ZIP for your exact quote.

How deep should a raised bed be?

8 inches for lettuce and herbs. 12 inches for most vegetables. 18 inches for tomatoes and root crops.

Can I fill the bottom with sticks and leaves?

Hugelkultur — yes for the bottom 30% of a deep bed. Top 12 inches still needs to be real soil.

Should I add fertilizer at fill time?

Compost in the blend provides initial fertility. For heavy feeders (tomatoes, squash), top-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer at planting.

How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?

A full load is about 18 cubic yards. Bigger orders go out in more than one load, and the calculator shows the truck count with your result. Delivery is in the price, so a full load is the cheapest per yard.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

Best if someone is there to show the driver the spot. Not required: ask for a photo of the drop. Dumped from the street or driveway. A backyard works if the entrance is wide enough. Off the public road, you take responsibility for any damage. It comes in one pile and isn’t spread. Delivery in 2–3 business days, on a weekday you choose.

Raised garden bed calculator · cubic yards

Raised Bed Soil Calculator

How much soil for your raised beds? Add each bed and get the cubic yards of garden soil mix.

1 · Material

2 · Two quick choices: bed depth, then size

2a · Pick a bed depth

2b · Then measure your beds

Length × width in feet. Add as many beds as you need; we add them up.

LengthftWidthft

Recommended order

2 yd³

of Garden Soil Mix

covers 32 sq ft at 12″ · 1 dump truck

32 sq ft × 12 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 1.19 yd³. Plus 15% for settling and spreading, rounded up to a whole yd³.

3 · Get your delivered quote

One cubic yard of garden soil mix

= 27 cubic feet
covers 27 sq ft at 12″
weighs about 1700 lb
a full truck is about 18 yd³

Convert tons ↔ cubic yards →

About this material: Garden Soil Mix →

How much does a yard of raised bed soil cover?

Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × bed depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up.

Swipe the table sideways →

Material	Bed depth	Used for	Coverage	Per 100 sq ft
Garden Soil Mix	6″	In-ground beds over loosened soil.	54 sq ft per yd³	1.85 yd³
Garden Soil Mix	12″	Most vegetables. (typical)	27 sq ft per yd³	3.7 yd³
Garden Soil Mix	18″	Tomatoes and root crops.	18 sq ft per yd³	5.56 yd³
Topsoil	6″	Low beds and herbs.	54 sq ft per yd³	1.85 yd³
Topsoil	12″	Most raised beds. (typical)	27 sq ft per yd³	3.7 yd³
Topsoil	18″	Tall beds.	18 sq ft per yd³	5.56 yd³
Compost	1″	Yearly top-dress.	324 sq ft per yd³	0.31 yd³
Compost	2″	Mix into the top of a bed. (typical)	162 sq ft per yd³	0.62 yd³
Compost	4″	Blend into new bed soil.	81 sq ft per yd³	1.23 yd³

Before the buffer. Updated November 2026

How much raised bed soil for common projects

Swipe the table sideways →

Project	Bed depth	Area	Estimate
Standard 4 ft × 8 ft bed × 12"	12″	32 sq ft	~1.2 cubic yards
Two 4×4 beds × 12"	12″	32 sq ft	~1.2 cubic yards
Wide 4 ft × 12 ft × 18"	18″	48 sq ft	~2.7 cubic yards
Tall planter 3 ft × 6 ft × 24"	24″	18 sq ft	~1.3 cubic yards
L-shape ~50 sq ft × 12"	12″	50 sq ft	~1.9 cubic yards

Before the buffer. Measure your own areas above for an order quantity.

Garden soil mix, topsoil or compost?

Delivered by dump truck. “From” prices are per yd³ on a full truck, delivery included; the second line is the smallest load.

Garden Soil Mix →A blended mix for raised beds and vegetables.From $56.29/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $456.24 delivered

Topsoil →Screened topsoil for lawns, sod and leveling.From $46.03/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $432.68 delivered

Compost →Organic matter to top-dress beds and lawns.From $46.03/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $432.68 delivered

Raised bed soil mistakes to avoid

Pure topsoil

Florida topsoil is sandy. Pure topsoil drains too fast for most vegetables. Blend with compost and garden mix.

Pure compost

Compost holds too much water and burns sensitive roots. Cap at 10–20% of the fill volume.

Bed too shallow

A 6-inch bed limits you to lettuce and herbs. 12 inches opens up most vegetables. 18 inches for root crops and tomatoes.

Forgetting drainage

A wood-bottomed bed with no drainage holes is a soup bowl. Either open-bottom over loosened native soil, or drill holes.

No settlement buffer

Beds settle 15–20% after the first heavy rain. Fill to the top and plan to top off mid-season.