I've helped dozens of people start their first raised bed gardens. Here are the 5 mistakes I see over and over:

1. Wrong soil mix

Most people fill their beds with topsoil or plain garden soil. Big mistake. You need a 60/30/10 mix: 60% topsoil, 30% compost, 10% aeration (perlite or vermiculite). This gives you drainage AND nutrients.

2. Too much, too soon

Your first season? Start with 5-7 plants max. Tomatoes, lettuce, herbs. Master those before adding 20 varieties. A focused bed outperforms a chaotic one every time.

3. Ignoring your climate zone

A planting guide from California won't work in Michigan. Know your USDA zone, know your last frost date, and plan around it. This alone prevents 80% of crop failures.

4. Watering on a schedule instead of by feel

"Water every day" is terrible advice. Stick your finger 2 inches into the soil. Dry? Water. Moist? Leave it. Overwatering kills more plants than underwatering.

5. No succession planting

When your lettuce bolts in July, what's next? If you don't plan sequential plantings, half your bed sits empty for months. Always have the next crop ready.

I put together a complete starter guide that covers all of this plus layout templates, seasonal calendars, and soil recipes. Check it out if you're serious about getting it right the first time. 🌱