Filling raised bed for veg

[Jollyjoy]

I have a 2x1m timber raised bed that was originally built as a sandpit for my kids. They didn’t like it as the sand always got wet and many beasties took up home. I’m going to repurpose as a raised bed and have lots of topsoil, compost and rotted manure that has just been delivered. The container is at least 1m deep and currently has about 15cm deep sand in the bottom.

Has anyone any advice about this? I’m hoping I can leave the sand since it’s so deep, but wondering is it good for drainage or not? Another issue is the base looks a little rotted so will probably fall through at some point (there’s a small gap underneath as it’s on a bit of a hill). I’ve seen advice to put garden clippings and cardboard in the bottom of a raised bed. Would you do this on top of the sand? Should I fill mostly topsoil with a bit of compost and manure at the top layer? Any thoughts, I’d really appreciate thanks.

I’ve seen people fill the bottom of raised beds with logs and sticks so that it’s not too shallow, that wouldn’t collapse down as much/quickly as clippings and cardboard. I’d probably leave the sand. My compost heap is on top of an old sandpit & it isn’t causing any issues. It was already old and long abandoned before we moved here and put the compost pile there though.

Your plans sound fine. As @InternetRandoms said you can fill in the bottom with twigs. We did, works fine. It will however rot down and the level of the compost will sink over time.

Sand is fine as a base, it gives good drainage.

Thank you for your replies, that’s reassuring and lovely if I don’t need to find a new place for the soggy sand!