Raised beds for dummies?

Our *whisper*landscapers*whisper* are halfway through our garden build, and are going to finish off in June as budget allows. However they were able to finish off my stunning trio of raised beds!

Trouble is, I'm not sure what to do with them now! There's 3 of them, each approx 1.2m x 1.2m, and 1 side of each is against the garden fence, so I can fix trellis or netting for climbing things. They get full sunlight all morning, and are then shaded from about 1pm. The garden will have several substantial flower beds once it's finished, so I'd like to try growing veg in 2 of the raised beds, and maybe herbs in 1? Is it too late in the year to start from seed, given that I've no greenhouse? Would it be better to get some young plants from a nursery? And which to choose?

They're also empty atm How much 'good dirt' should fill up 3, 1.2m x 1.2m x 40(approx)cm beds, and should I be getting bags of compost, or a delivery of topsoil? I'm excited to get out there and play, but it's pretty overwhelming!

 

I am a fan of tropicals and exotics.
So I would go with Palms, Tree Ferns, Bamboos, Kniphofia etc.

 

You haven't said how deep they are or what is underneath, are they on soil? I set up some raised beds 18"deep on top of concrete over 30 years ago and they're still going strong. I put in a mix of good quality top soil, bonemeal and compost and really all I've done to keep the quality of the soil is some additional compost dug in when I put in new plants. What I've grown over the years has varied from shrubs, to ornamentals, to vegetables. I just treat them the same as anywhere else in the garden but have to remember that there's no real depth there. I paid attention to drainage when I set them up and I think that's been key as they drain well and never get waterlogged but at the same time do retain enough moisture.

With regard to this year, if you're putting in new soil it won't be as warm as the soil in your garden so you may find it's worth covering the beds with polythene to help the soil warm up before you plant. At this point I think I'd buy some established young plants to get started , there are plenty available and it will be less hit and miss than seeds but you could also be sowing every fortnight for salads etc for continuation through the summer.

Herbs will be easy to set up. Good luck.

Sorry just re read your post and seen that you have given the depth. That should be enough for vegetables, herbs and salads etc.