DIY

How Much Lumber and Soil for a Raised Bed?

Built by Kevin Glover · @gloverbuilds · Verified formula

Calculate lumber, screws, and soil needed to build a raised garden bed. Popular sizes from 4×4 to 4×12.

📅 Updated April 2026 ✅ Formula verified 📖 4 min read 🆓 Free · No sign-up

In this article

Best Raised Bed Dimensions
Best Wood for Raised Beds
Soil Mix for Raised Beds

Dimensões e Terra

Tamanho ideal: 1,20 m de largura (acessível dos dois lados). Comprimento: 2-3 m. Profundidade: 30 cm mínimo. Canteiro de 1,20×2,40×0,30: 0,86 m³ de substrato. Melhor mistura: 1/3 terra vegetal + 1/3 composto/húmus de minhoca + 1/3 substrato de coco. O húmus de minhoca brasileiro é excelente e acessível.

Materiais

Madeira de eucalipto tratado: R$20-40/tábua de 2,40 m. Blocos de concreto: R$3-5/unidade. Telhas/tijolos reaproveitados: grátis. NUNCA use madeira de paletes tratados ou dormentes de ferrovia para horta — os químicos contaminam o solo e os vegetais.

⚡ CalcWolf Insight

A 4×8×12" raised bed requires approximately 1 cubic yard of soil mix. Filling it with bagged soil from a hardware store (at $5-6 per 40-lb bag) would cost $150-180. Bulk delivery from a landscape supplier costs $55-65 for the same volume — a 60-70% savings.

Frequently asked questions

Quanta terra para canteiro 1,20×2,40?▾

A 30 cm: 0,86 m³. Use 1/3 terra + 1/3 húmus de minhoca + 1/3 substrato de coco.

Qual madeira usar?▾

Eucalipto tratado em autoclave: econômico, dura 10-15 anos. Evite madeiras quimicamente tratadas para hortas alimentares.

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Kevin Glover · @gloverbuilds

Founder, CalcWolf · GLVTS · Blickr

All formulas sourced from primary references — IRS publications, peer-reviewed research, and official standards. Results are tested against independent reference calculators before publishing. Rates and brackets updated when official sources change. Editorial policy →