Raised bed gardening
A raised bed is a framed volume of soil you can improve, drain, and reach. Use the tools below to size soil and plants before you buy lumber or mix.
Most backyard vegetable frames work at 10–12 inches of actual soil, 3–4 feet wide so you never step in the bed. Soil usually costs more than the box. Start with the raised bed soil calculator, then read depth and mix notes if you are still choosing a design.
Recommended calculators
Raised bed soilCubic feet, yards, and bags for one or more beds.Plant spacingHow many plants fit in a 4×8 or other rectangle.MulchCoverage depth for straw, chips, or leaves on the bed surface.CompostTop-dress volume after the first season.
Beginner guides
How to prepare a raised bedSite, fill, settle, skip the rock layer.Raised bed vs in-groundCost, watering, and when each layout wins.Choosing a frameWidth, height, and materials — not a ranked kit list.
Soil guides
Hugelkultur in raised bedsTwigs and leaves in a 12-inch bed, or a thicker woody layer in a tall frame.How deep should a raised bed be?Crop-by-crop soil depth, not board marketing height.How much soil does a raised bed need?Worked volumes for common US sizes.Best soil mixCompost plus mineral soil, matched to climate.Buying raised bed soilLabel and bulk-delivery criteria.
Watering & planting
How often to waterFinger test, crop type, and humidity — not a gallon chart.Drip irrigationEmitters, kits, and timers for rectangular beds.Tomato spacingDeterminate vs indeterminate in a 4-foot bed.Pepper spacing12–18 inches for most types.Cucumbers in raised bedsTrellis, water, and mildew.Fertilizing a raised bedCompost, labels, and nitrogen math.Growing in pots insteadPlastic, ceramic, and fabric — gallon sizes for tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.