Thanks all, the common advise is compost and manure, so that is what I will do. This approach will be cheaper than loads of new soil. I can get cow manure from the adjacent field from spring, will just need to hop the fence while wifey keeps an eye out for the bull, thank you all for the advise. I have used raised beds before in my space restricted dwelling, now I finally have a bit of space I want to directly plant in soil.
Personally, I'd never use cow manure due to the various chemicals they can be consuming, compared with horse manure, but I expect it's one of those things where it can be highly variable. I've only ever used horse manure, from stabled stock, which is totally different too, and I knew what they were eating and also how the fields were managed. For raised beds, it's normally cheaper to get bulk bags in if the beds are big and you don't have enough material to make a good base - turf etc, to start them off
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree with Pete.8 Stick in some seed potatoes this year they like manure and compost. Then dig them up later in the year and the ground will be ready for next year.
You might be able to get compost from your local council or your local recycling centre. Loose loads much cheaper than bags. I just converted an old barn site into a flower bed and we put down soil conditioner in the autumn and left it over the winter before adding more soil and planting in the spring (this was last year), but we did put membrane on top to keep the weeds down during that winter! And some cardboard, too, when we ran out of membrane...
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For raised beds, it's normally cheaper to get bulk bags in if the beds are big and you don't have enough material to make a good base - turf etc, to start them off
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Failure is always an option.