Hello Mr.Metal, re: raised beds--I buy bulk top-soil, and amend with N in various forms, soft rock phosphate and kelp. I don't have a recipe, but there are many recipes posted in Post Your Organic Soil Recipe, as well as in HumboldtLocal's 2010 thread. I can't schlep bags of soil, plus it's expensive, in bulk by yard is my recommendation. Find an outfit that offers organic soil.