A couple of things I do differently. With a new bed, I dig down and loosen the soil, then add a good layer of aged goat or horse manure. Whatever is easiest to get.
Because we have a BAD gopher problem, we have to line the bottom with the tiny strong wire (NOT chicken wire!), then fill it up with soil from the landfill (organic, high quality and only about $18 per yard)
I usually mulch with grass clippings. It seems to warm the soil a bit and keeps the weeds away nicely! Nancy

Yeah, I have been lucky that we don't have gophers in my area so I don't have to line the bottom with anything. Never heard of using goat manure, that is cool.