Planting Beds: How to Prepare & Fill Them the Right Way
Planting beds are the foundation of a beautiful, organized garden. Whether you’re growing flowers, herbs, vegetables, or shrubs, beds allow you to separate plants by type, improve soil conditions, and create a cleaner garden layout.
But before you plant anything, you need to know one thing: how much soil you need to fill your beds.
Why Measuring Soil for Planting Beds Matters
Underfilling your bed can stress plant roots. Overfilling is wasteful and messy. That’s why it’s essential to calculate the exact volume of soil based on your bed’s length, width, and depth.
This helps you:
- Buy the right amount of soil
- Avoid overspending
- Ensure uniform plant growth
- Improve drainage and root support
Use the Topsoil Calculator for Planting Beds
Our Topsoil Calculator is the perfect tool to help you fill planting beds with the right amount of soil.
Just enter your bed’s dimensions, and the calculator will tell you exactly how many cubic yards of soil you need.
It works for all types of planting beds, including:
- Raised garden beds
- In-ground flower beds
- Herb beds
- Decorative border beds
No more guesswork. Just quick, accurate soil estimates.
Pro Tip: Don’t Forget Soil Depth
The required depth depends on what you’re planting:
- Flowers and herbs: 6–12 inches
- Vegetables: 12–18 inches
- Shrubs: 18–24 inches
Use the calculator accordingly to avoid compacted or shallow root zones.
What to Fill Planting Beds With
For the best results, use a mix of:
- Topsoil
- Compost soil improver
- Peat moss or organic matter for better structure
- A layer of bark mulch on top to retain moisture
If you’re ordering in bulk bags, the calculator also helps you decide how many to buy saving you time and cost.
Final Thought
If you’re building new planting beds or refreshing old ones, make sure you start with the right soil volume. Use our Topsoil Calculator to get accurate measurements and give your plants the healthy, nutrient-rich foundation they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a planting bed?
A planting bed is a defined area where flowers, vegetables, or shrubs are grown, often with improved soil and layout control.
2. How do I calculate soil for a planting bed?
Measure length × width × depth of the bed in feet. Divide the result by 27 to get cubic yards. Or use our Topsoil Calculator for easy results.
3. What’s the best soil depth for planting beds?
It depends on your plants:
- Herbs & flowers: 6–12 inches
- Vegetables: 12–18 inches
- Shrubs: up to 24 inches
4. Can I use bulk bags to fill planting beds?
Yes! Bulk bags are ideal for larger beds. One standard bulk bag holds about 1 cubic yard — use the calculator to know how many you need.
5. What soil mix is best for planting beds?
A blend of topsoil, compost, and organic matter ensures good drainage, fertility, and root growth.