Raised beds for vegetables

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

We’ve just bought two metal raised beds for growing veg and looking at ways to fill them- lots of advice out there!
We were thinking cardboard, home compost then good topsoil.
We can’t have bulk topsoil as we have access issues so was thinking Melcourt topsoil bags to top up?
pic of bed (not in it’s final home!)

I used a kind of hugelkultur method as I was having tree surgery work done at the time. I put the thickest branches at the bottom, thinner ones on top of them, then twigs, then the shreddings. I topped it with a mixture of bought and homemade compost and some earth from a border I was clearing and didn't need to use too much for the top layer. It worked brilliantly. I do top it up every year or two as it all sinks down but it's a great way of filling a space quickly.

If you're not having trees conveniently cut down it's definitely worth asking tree surgeons local to you if you could have some of what they produce, they have a lot to get rid of or store.

You could just grow veg in the ground there couldn't you? Take up the lawn, give it a dig, plant veg. Costs nowt.

Thanks- will take a look at this method ☺️

I could indeed. I’ve got two elderly dogs so unfortunately it’s their toilet so maybe will stick to the raised beds

Good point!

When I make a new trench for runner beans etc I always start by using it as a compost pit first - I put in all my garden waste, kitchen peelings, card, dog fur (from grooming) etc. Then top it up with the stuff you're intending to use.

I only buy Melcourt - they seem to be the best around now.