All of the beds are raised and filled with a mix of 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 compost and 1/3 peat moss with a few other things thrown in such as worm castings, etc. The corner of the pasture where we are building this is fenced and totally lined with huge pieces of cardboard to cut down on the perennial weeds coming through. The base of the fence is reinforced and framed with the same timbers we used to build the beds. 2 purposes -- keep the weeds out and provide an edge to mow against with my zero turn mower. The fence is to keep the deer and rabbits out. If you are on a city lot, you probably don't have to worry about deer munching your garden.
I'm just about ready to harvest my first crop of lettuce which was started by seed in the basement under lights. Onions are ready to pull to use as green onions in salads. Radishes should be ready next week, or the week after. Cauliflower heads are forming. Broccoli is doubling in size daily, but no heads yet. Peas are 2 inches high. I'll be planting corn, beans, squash and cucumbers as soon as I get back from VA for granddaughter's 1st Communion. Everything is growing well. Tomatoes should be ready in August. Pondering: Why don't lettuce and tomatoes mature at the same time?
In my climate, I should have to take up canning to make this garden "pay". But, right now, I just want home grown veggies for part of the summer.
One of my beds is pictured below:
There are 4 beds, plus inside perimeter beds, around the fence. It's a work in progress which is why you see the clutter laying around right now.