4x8 Raised Bed Broccoli
A complete plan for soil, plant count, and yield range for broccoli in a 4x8 raised bed.
Quick answer
For a 4x8 bed at 12" depth: soil ≈ 32 ft³ (≈ 1.185 yd³).
With 18" spacing: 10 broccoli plants.
Yield range (raised bed): 10.5–21.0 lb (typical ≈ 15.8 lb).
Worked example
Soil: 8×4×(12/12) = 32 ft³ (≈ 1.185 yd³).
Bags: 2 cu ft → ceil(32/2) = 16, 3 cu ft → 11, 1.5 cu ft → 22.
Plants: floor((8×12)/18)×floor((4×12)/18) = 10.
Why these numbers vary
Real results vary by variety, trellising, fertility, watering, temperature, and how aggressively you harvest. Treat this as a planning range—not a promise.
Spacing note
This page uses the dataset spacing (18"). If you plant tighter or wider, switch to Custom spacing in the calculator.
FAQ
How many broccoli plants fit in a 4x8 raised bed?
Using 18" spacing and a floor grid, you can fit about 10 plants.
Do I need to buy extra soil?
Often yes. Soil settles, especially mixes with compost. Many gardeners buy 5–15% extra.
Is 12 inches of soil depth enough?
For most vegetables it’s a good baseline. Deep-rooted crops may benefit from more depth or looser subsoil.
Does trellising change the spacing?
Yes. Trellised crops can sometimes be spaced tighter. Use Custom spacing if you have a proven system.
Why is yield shown as a range?
Yield depends heavily on variety, climate, fertility, pest pressure, and season length.
Sources
- Dataset: crops.json (PlantYields v1.1.0)
- See notes on the crop guide page for variety guidance.