I always used well aged cattle manure, wheel barrels full of wood ash, a few handfuls of dolomite lime (magic stuff) and clean sand (when I could get it). some friends swear by worm castings and vermiculite etc, but you want to minimize the cost all that you can.
Keep the beds lofty light and never compact the soil. Another soil amendment that I used lots was well aged kitty litter with kitties dropping of course. Coffee grounds should make it to the compost pile. So the bottom line here is to have good drainage and to incorporate inexpensive materials.
Check with local contractors to see if they offer topsoil for sale. (cheaper) Check the pH to see if it needs corrected. Add 4" of compost and mix it in. If you buy from a local contractor, check first to see if it is good soil. Get a jar with lid and fill half full with soil. Finish filling with water, tighten lid and shake well for a couple of minutes.Let set until water clears. Should see three layers. Clay, sand and loam. I think you need at least 20 % sand and 10 % loam.
In addition to what William has already suggested, you might want to invest in a product that helps to keep moisture in the soil. Raised beds tend to dry out more quickly than in ground gardens. I can't remember what they call the stuff, but I've seen it at Lowes and Home Depot. It absorbs water and holds it till the plants need it.
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Topsoil, peat moss, and compost.
In what order?
I always used well aged cattle manure, wheel barrels full of wood ash, a few handfuls of dolomite lime (magic stuff) and clean sand (when I could get it). some friends swear by worm castings and vermiculite etc, but you want to minimize the cost all that you can.
Keep the beds lofty light and never compact the soil. Another soil amendment that I used lots was well aged kitty litter with kitties dropping of course. Coffee grounds should make it to the compost pile. So the bottom line here is to have good drainage and to incorporate inexpensive materials.
Check with local contractors to see if they offer topsoil for sale. (cheaper) Check the pH to see if it needs corrected. Add 4" of compost and mix it in. If you buy from a local contractor, check first to see if it is good soil. Get a jar with lid and fill half full with soil. Finish filling with water, tighten lid and shake well for a couple of minutes.Let set until water clears. Should see three layers. Clay, sand and loam. I think you need at least 20 % sand and 10 % loam.
In addition to what William has already suggested, you might want to invest in a product that helps to keep moisture in the soil. Raised beds tend to dry out more quickly than in ground gardens. I can't remember what they call the stuff, but I've seen it at Lowes and Home Depot. It absorbs water and holds it till the plants need it.
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