[doug hutch]

    hi all
           if i make aframe maybe 2ft high and say 10ft long x6ft wide do i just fill wifh topsoil
            and carry on planting?

[gillie]

Six feet wide is probably too wide.  Unless you are very tall with long arms you will not be able to reach the centre without stepping on the bed, which is what you are trying to avoid.  Four feet wide is usually considered about right.  Two feet high is plenty - considerably less would probably do.

Fill it with soil, compost, well rotted manure and any other goodies you have to hand.

Cheers,

Gillie

[viettaclark]

Gillie's right! One of my beds is 5' wide and it's an effort to get to the middle!!

[Goosegirl]

What are you siting it on? I assume it is soil-based and couch grass free and that the soil is free draining. As Gillie says, 4 foot is just right, the height could be lessthan you said. Whatever you add, it will settle over time which is good as you need to be able to dig it without the soil falling over the edges. Also, raised beds dry out considerably in summer through the sides as well as the top so water your plants well.