Getting Soil Ready for Raised Beds

I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me for advice on what they should use to fill their raised beds. I’ve used different techniques over the years but this is pretty much my standard plan moving forward based on everything that I’ve learned through the years…

Raised beds can make epic harvests… but only if your soil is dialed in. Skip the cheap bagged “garden soil” that turns to brick once you fill your beds. Here’s exactly how I prep my new beds for fluffy, nutrient-packed beds that drain perfectly and feed plants all season.

Step-by-step soil prep (super easy):

1. Bottom Layer: On the bottom of the beds I will usually try to lay cardboard or a really thick pile of newspaper down (usually 2-4 sheets thick). This will smother weeds and breaks down into the soil over time while still allowing adequate drainage.
   
2. Soil Mix: In my opinion, the best soil mix for raised beds is 3 part:
   • 40% topsoil (for structure)
   • 40% compost (for nutrients & microbes)
   • 20% aeration (coarse sand, perlite, or vermiculite)
     
3. Amount of Material: This part is really important, you want to be sure to completely fill your beds. To calculate your bed volume use the following; (length × width × depth in feet × 0.8 = cubic feet needed). You can mix everything in a wheelbarrow or tarp, then dump & level.
   
4. Finish: Once you have filled the beds you will want to top with 1–2 inches more compost, water deeply to settle, then wait 1–2 weeks before planting.
   
5. Fertilize & Nutrients: To give your garden a kickstart, I recommend mixing in worm castings or slow-release organic fertilizer.

Tips for a Successful Season

Once your beds are filled and ready to plant, you will want to do a few things to make sure you will be successful throughout the season:

• Keep your soil fluffy, do not walk on or pack down.
• Aim for 12–18″ deep (24″+ for root crops like carrots).
• pH sweet spot = 6.0–7.0 (test kit is $10).