compost

hi,could anyone tell me if just compost can be used in raised beds or does soil etc have to be used as well.

thanks just planning to go about 8" above soil.

thanks just planning to go about 8" above soil.

Compost should be OK then. As Tony says, if you were building a deeper box you could even put some old rubble in the bottom for drainange.

thanks for that i've heard horror stories about manure etc.

You need to ask around at the allotment to see if they can recommend a manure source that is reliable and free from weedkillers if you are worried.  Personally, other than importing a few weeds and a bit of flea beetle, I haven't had really negative experiences.

The problem with compost is that it doesn't have stacks of nutrients in it - so you will need to add something like chicken manure pellets or blood, fish and bone to the soil when planting to sustain your greedy feeders like brassicas.  

Another idea is to dig trenches where you plan to sow crops and fill with raw kitchen scraps and grass clippings and cover with topsoil or compost - this will add some nutrients but keep the costs down.