Raised Bed Gardening...

I have wanted to garden for a few years now. So yesterday I went to Home Depot, got some wood and built a raised garden bed. Now it's 12" high which I didn't think anything of except it's taking a lot of dirt to fill. I've put in 200+lbs of soil/compost/garden "soil" but it's still about 2/3 empty. How deep does it need to be?

The plants I have ready to be put in are: Tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, bell peppers, squash and cilantro. Are any of these in need of a deep garden or would it be alright to stop now?

Here is a picture or two of what it looks like now with soil & compost in there. Should I get more soil & compost or is it alright to keep going. By the way it's just on top of the ground. We're in GA so the ground is kind of hard.

I think I'll go out and get about 2-3 40lb bags of soil and 3-4 bags of compost/manure and be done with dirt. I want to plant my veggies! How's it look? Any suggestions?




Oh, Forgot to mention what is in there right now. It's 2 bags of the 2cu. ft. miracle grow gardening soil, 4 bags of 40lb cheap top soil and 1 bag of 40lb manure/compost. All mixed together. Remember, this garden isn't one that should last for years to come, it make only be here until next year so I didn't want to go all out and make sure I had great soil for years/seasons to come, just something to throw together now for fairly cheap.

 

Jayson is so proud of our garden :) Such a big helper

Tomato plants on the left, and the first row of cucumbers on the right.

 

Next row is 2nd row of cucumbers on the left and squash on the right

 

Left bottom to top is: Bell Pepper, watermelon, then the top right corner is onions.