[rapahoe]

how you all doin out there plotters  :Pjust obtained materials to put together my raised beds. can any one tell me what that they think are the best veg to grow in these .can i have them a foot deep ? also should i buy the ready mixed top soil .

[hillbilly]

So you've got some work to do, then.... .
I can't think of a veg that won't like them (except maybe watercress) so I'd go for anything you fancy. And you can make them as deep as you like but remember you've got to fill them!
It might be a good idea to go look at the soil before you buy? Just make sure it's not dodgy subsoil mixed with a bit of topsoil.
I'm sure more experienced voices than mine will be along to advise but I hope it all goes brill   

[Leedsniner]

Mix lots of well rotted compost into the soil you put in the beds.

[viettaclark]

I (or rather, OH) set up another raised bed recently. Mine are 18" deep because I have arthritic knees. We bunged loads of my compost, mushroom compost and top soil in and squirged it about. (1/3 composty stuff) I also scattered on a bit of FBB, gave it a good soak then covered with a tarpaulin til I was ready to plant the over-wintering crops.
I got top soil from Wickes. It was pricey but turned out to be luvverly stuff....a light loam with enough clay and sand to ball up when you squeezed it but crumble again when rubbed.
It took hours to barrow the topsoil from front to back garden but it was done in a day and now I've got broad beans, peas, onions, shallots, garlic and lettuce in it!!
Good luck with yours!

[Ice]

Firstly it would help if you were to say what they would be built on.  Are they going on soil, a reclaimed lawn or a concrete area etc?  If on soil, do you know what type it is?

It would also be useful to know why you want raised beds, then we can suggest proportions more easily. 

[mumofstig]

Hello Ice you just said what I was thinking

[Ice]

Hello Ice you just said what I was thinking

Fools never differ.

[rapahoe]

yes mate ill be droppin a few raised beds down on a large plot of clay soil which has a fair amount of mares tail roots in it .i have enough space also for conventional beds i just wanted to pit them against each other to see which bed would yield the most under the circumstances

[viettaclark]

You'll definitely get more from the raised beds and your root veg. should be good if they're deep enough. They DO need watering more often. You can also make up the soil yourself to give a good Ph balance. My garden soil is very acidic but my raised beds are just right!!!

[Yorkie]

Be aware that raised beds will not defeat the dreaded marestail 

[viettaclark]

That's very true. The earth underneath must be weed free. I missed a couple of bluebell bulbs when building mine and..yes...blow me......shoots have appeared on the surface. And that's through 18" of earth!!
Pretty early for bluebells isn't it? They're shooting everywhere......

[sunshineband]

Be aware that raised beds will not defeat the dreaded marestail 

Oooh no it will be up and smiling before you know it 

[Weatherwatcher]

You'll definitely get more from the raised beds and your root veg. should be good if they're deep enough. They DO need watering more often.

Unless you do as I did and make up a mix of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 homemade compost and 1/3 well rotted manure. That mix retains the moisture extremely well and gives a good Ph balance.

[Yorkie]

I'd be concerned about the long-term sustainability of that mixture, WW.

Those components do not contain the trace nutrients held in a more substantial mixture which also has soil / loam in it.  They improve soil structure but on their own are not advisable long-term unless you rely on adding fertiliser - whether organic or inorganic compounds - regularly.

[Ice]

Have to agree with Yorkie WW.

The OP said he had clay soil so I repeat my mantra of adding as much sharp sand as you can and any other type of soil improver you can get your hands on.  Clay is heavy, but it is fertile soil nonetheless.