Soil — Raised Bed Guides
How to fill and feed a raised garden bed — soil mixes, recipes, and the cheapest ways to fill deep beds.
7 articles
How Much Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed? (Exact Numbers)
Exactly how much soil you need for a 4x8 raised garden bed at every depth — cubic feet, cubic yards, and number of bags.
Read article →Hugelkultur Raised Bed: How to Fill a Bed with Wood
Hugelkultur lets you fill a deep raised bed with logs and branches to save soil and hold water. Here's how to do it, layer by layer.
Read article →No-Dig Gardening in Raised Beds: How It Works
No-dig gardening builds healthy soil by adding compost on top instead of digging. Here's how to start a no-dig raised bed and why it means fewer weeds.
Read article →What to Put at the Bottom of a Raised Garden Bed
What to line the bottom of a raised garden bed with — cardboard, hardware cloth, logs, or nothing — and what to avoid. A simple, clear answer.
Read article →The Best Soil Mix for Raised Garden Beds (Simple Recipe)
What to fill a raised bed with — a proven soil mix recipe, how much you need, and the mistakes that stunt your first harvest.
Read article →How to Fill a Raised Garden Bed Cheaply (Without Sacrificing Growth)
Deep raised beds need a lot of soil. Here's how to fill one for 30–50% less using hugelkultur and lasagna layering — without hurting your harvest.
Read article →How Deep Should a Raised Garden Bed Be? (By Crop)
The right raised bed depth depends on what you grow. A quick chart from 6 to 18+ inches, plus why deeper isn't always better.
Read article →Common Questions About Soil
What is the cheapest way to fill a raised garden bed?
Use a layering method like hugelkultur or lasagna gardening: fill the bottom third with logs, branches, cardboard, and leaves, then top with a quality soil mix. This cuts soil costs by 30–50% on deep beds.
What soil mix is best for raised beds?
A simple, proven recipe is roughly 50% topsoil or compost, 30% organic matter (aged manure, leaf mold), and 20% aeration (perlite or coarse sand). Mel's Mix — equal parts compost, peat/coir, and vermiculite — also works well.