Raised Garden Beds & Landscaping: calculators, shopping list & budget
Raised beds swallow more soil than most people expect: one 4 x 8 ft bed 12 in deep needs 1.2 cubic yards. Buying bulk instead of bags often halves the cost.
Work through soil, mulch and plant spacing below, then print the shopping list for the garden center.
Raised Garden Beds & Landscaping budget & shopping list template
- • Printable PDF checklist with quantities, estimated prices and an "Actual" column
- • Editable Excel or Google Sheets budget that calculates totals automatically, including contingency and remaining funds
- • Step-by-step plan and notes page
Which calculators do I need for this project?
Step 1
Topsoil Calculator
Estimate topsoil in cubic yards and tons for any project.
Step 2
Mulch Calculator
Estimate mulch in bags and cubic yards for any bed size.
Step 3
Plant Spacing Calculator
Estimate plants needed for any bed and spacing.
Step 4
Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel by area and depth in tons or cubic yards.
Step 5
Board Foot Calculator
Estimate board feet for hardwood or dimensional lumber.
How much does it cost?
Four 4 x 8 ft cedar beds, 12 in deep, with mulched paths. Estimated total: $1,252, or $1,377 with a 10% contingency.
| Item | Qty | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Raised bed soil mix (bulk) | 4.8 cu yd | $264 |
| Compost (bulk) | 1 cu yd | $45 |
| Cedar boards 2x6, 8 ft | 24 each | $432 |
| Corner brackets | 16 each | $64 |
| Hardwood mulch for paths | 2 cu yd | $80 |
| Landscape fabric, 4x100 ft | 1 roll | $40 |
| Starter plants | 48 each | $192 |
| Drip irrigation kit | 1 each | $60 |
| Bulk delivery fee | 1 each | $75 |
Want this as a printable checklist and a self-totaling spreadsheet? Get the template.
What are the steps?
- Pick a spot with 6-8 hours of sun.
- Build and level the bed frames.
- Line paths with fabric.
- Fill beds with soil and compost mix.
- Plant at the recommended spacing.
- Mulch paths and install drip lines.
Material guides for this project
How much soil does a 4 x 8 raised bed need?
At 12 in deep, a 4 x 8 bed needs about 1.2 cubic yards, or roughly 32 bags of 1 cu ft.
Is bulk soil cheaper than bags?
Above about 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper, even after the delivery fee.
How deep should mulch be on paths?
Three inches suppresses weeds without staying soggy.
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