Hi Rita
I'm new to the form also but have been gardening for quite a few years already. I haven't done much starting plants from seed as I have recieved lots of plants from relatives and friends. I haven't read up on how you are "supposed" to put a raised bed in but have 2 that are a few years old now. I have never had any problem with quack grass coming through and mine are about the 8-10". I had alot of wild violets were I put my bed and am hoping that the amout of dirt put down first will keep it at bay. I also dug up most of the roots as a way of getting rid of them. I would think the newspaper/cardboard and dirt would do the trick. I put in alot of compost from the cattle mixed with other topsoil from close to the barn area to fill the beds.
Good luck gardening!
Kathy

Thanks Kathy, you know I hate this quackgrass stuff, don't hear much about it, hear alot about crabgrass but I think there is nothing more wicked than QUACKgrass. You can dig it up for meters and see new little plants at every root node. I gave up my first garden because I got tired of pulling the stuff out. I'm going to try again this spring. I'm also going to try some scarlet runner beans up a trellis or net support. I'd like to hear people's experience with that. Here's to greener thumbs, Rita

Rita, it sounds like you have done your homework and have a good undrstanding of what you are doing.

I thought I would suggest you do a search on "lasagne beds" on this web site. It will help put your fears to rest as to getting rid of Quackgrass.It's basically what you described, and it does work. I read up on it and ended up doing 6 LB in my yard, This will be the 3rd year, I have perennials and annuals in them. I planted in them as soon as they were complete. I even did one to get rid of morning glory weeds we have here, I seeded grass on the LB and it is the only area in my lawn that doesn't have MG weeds.

Happy Gardening,