How much?

Measurements for raised bed:

1 metre x 1 metre x 21 cm high

Now, how much compost do i put in that?

Should I use compost?

What's the best stuff to put in?

 

It`ll hold about 210 litres (7.4cu.ft).
You can fill it with multi-purpose compost, good quality topsoil or a mixture. I generally put manure in the bottom of the bed and dig it over into the original bottom soil. Then just fill it up with the new soil/compost.

 

you could also line the bottom with straw.

 

What's the difference in topsoil and compost?

 

In short compost will disappear and top soil wont.

 

I just bought 225 litres of compost for £10, so you're telling me, it'd be no good?

 

It doesn't really disappear, it shrinks considerably, dries out quickly and is difficult to re-soak. My neighbour is a road contractor and often has part loads of top soil, I mix this with compost about 50/50 for pots and containers. My veg. beds (not raised) are in clay soil and I add garden compost and horse manure (also from next door).

 

Compost, unless a JI mix, is mainly organic material, ie it rots down over time and tends to dissappear.

Top soil should be what the name says, its actual soil, with some organic content but mostly loam sand or clay, depending on where it was sourced.

Your compost will be useful, but personally I'd mix it with topsoil to create something more stable.

 

So should I add some sand ?

 

I use sand for cuttings, mixed about 50/50 with compost.

Sand in small quantities might help, but remember that it is an inert substance. It cannot absorb or store nutrients. I used to live in the Breckland (Norfolk), the soil there is sandy so plants need constantly feeding, when it will produce very good crops. Different to our clay soil in West Cambs. which is high in nutrients but very cold, which makes crops later maturing. Oh well! you can't have it all ways.