[julietmaria]

Hi Guys, have bought a mix of soils and some farmyard manure from B&Q today (I hope it is well rotted?! - it did not say so on the pack but I am hoping it is - if it is not how long before I can plant in it?  I have opened the package and spread it all out in the raised bed and left air to get to it.  Anyway that is not my main question - how high do I fill the raised bed with soil - I am assuming that I should leave about 1 inch from the sides but I have no expert knowledge that this is correct?  Thanks again in advance.  I am very proud of it already and it is not complete yet, but I am getting there 

[Ice]

What is your raised bed on?  Is it soil?  If so how have you prepared it?

[Aunt Sally]

I've put about a foot depth of soil and compost in my new raised bed and left about a 4 inch space at the top for topping up with more good compost each year.

[julietmaria]

Hi Ice, I have put the raised bed on top of lots of weeds, with a thick layer of cardboard over this, watered lots and then started filling.  I read somewhere that this was a good way to do it instead of clearing all the weeds and digging the roots out?! 
Juliet

[Ice]

Then do what Aunty has done and you will be fine.

[julietmaria]

Fab, that means I only need to buy one more bag, and then I plant my beetroot - in the half that I have not put manure
Julietx

[Ice]

I plant my beetroot - in the half that I have not put manure
Julietx

Ooh, you're a quick learnerist.

[1jim]

I am building 6 inch beds and will be puting them directly onto soil that has been ploughed and harrowed, how full should I fill them?

[boldondig]

I filled mine to within 2" from the top when first filled. I found that in the first year the level goes down as the compost / soil settles so allows room for top up with fresh compost in the autumn/winter ....