Starting raised beds

Well here's my first question (first of many I suspect): we have now got the polytunnel up and have made some raised beds which are in place. Due to the very heavy clay nature of our soil, I decided to fill the raised beds to a depth of 30cm with purchased top soil. I've bought Rowlawn Vegetable and Fruit topsoil and it arrived today. I've now got about a third of the raised beds filled but I've got a few questions.

1. Are my raised beds deep enough at 30cm?
2. Should I compress the soil as I fill the beds to get as much as possible in or is it better to let them find their own level?

Any other tips for raised beds would be gratefully received.

Many thanks.

 

im going to keep an eye on this thread as ive just got a veg trug raised bed[waist height] to use in conjunction with peter m ,s poly tunnel.

myra:WINK1:

 

your heavy clay soil i used to break up with sharp sand dug through the clay on your raised bed i would not compact it let it find its level and 30 cm is good level unless your trying to grow realy deep rooted crops.

 

I would still break up the heavy clay soil, this will aid drainage. Add as much organic matter as you can get your hands on, either compost, well rotted manure and leaf mould. I'm on heavy clay here at home and its what I have done.

I think your beds are more than deep enough (or is that high enough, as in out of the ground) because in a polytunnel you have limited space which includes height, your new bed takes a foot of growing space from you. I would be tempted to dig a spades depth down into the clay and break it up, add organic matter and your new topsoil and mix up.

Dont compress your soil to get more in, let it find its own level.

Steve...

 

[hr]
Many thanks everyone - that's a great help.