This is not just a raised bed....

This is a raised bed that will give you hope for having a pest free garden. Many great gardeners and first time gardeners get discouraged and give up. Dealing with pests in the garden is a big issue for a lot of people. This raised bed will get pest management to a manageable level.

Fencing on the bottom of the bed for protection from moles and groundhogs.
Fencing around the sides to protect from birds, rabbits, wood chucks and deer.
Fishing line ran above to deter birds ( not close enough to trap birds though)

Now what pests are there still left. Bugs.

Bugs I can handle.

More pics from last year

Diy soil recipes

So just to cut to the chase. Buying many bags of soil gets pricey when doing raised beds, or lots of container gardening. Also topsoil may very in nutrition and composition. By making your own mix you can insure you get the best quality soil for your specific needs. I don't use an exact recipe yet because I go off of how the soil feels and how it holds water.

1 large bag of sphagnum peat moss.
Perlite
Vermiculite
bone meal
Two drops of dish soap for wetting agent
Dolomite lime
Builders sand