I have found that you need some gravel in the bottom of the bed, for good drainage. Then, I fill the bed with top soil to about 2/3-3/4 full. After that, I finish them out with potting soil. The mixture has worked well for me. The potting soil allows transplants and seed to establish a good root system with minimal stress.

These are my beds now....we had a helluva thunderstorm roll through this morning.'


Better Boy and Roma Tomato plants


First tomato


Butter crunch lettuce


The lettuce has done very well.


Green beans - replanted...you can sort of see the soil here and the beans are coming up this time. LOL!


Broccoli; this is my short bed that also has garlic, dill and a summer squash in one end.


Grow boxes with cucumbers on the right and zucchini on the left.


This bed has butterstick summer squash and carrots on the other end.

Hope you can sort of see the soil mixture. I will be putting okra in when I pull the lettuce. Started harvesting that yesterday. We ate some and I swapped my neighbor some for eggs.