Getting a raised bed ready for planting veg?

[robgil]

I have a raised bed, around 12 x 8 feet, around 1.5 feet deep.
I want to grow veg in there, it looks like top soil is in there with the usual stones and other debris.
Ive got a good 6 inches from the top of the walls to the soil level.

I'm not even sure what I want to or what I can grow in there but as I decide is there anything I need to do to prepare the bed?

Also, any ideas of what I can grow? The bed is usually in the shadow of the house until around the afternoon but I presume come mid summer it will have full sun around midday.

 

[headfullofbees]

Strawberries, peas, beans, onions, lettuce, courgettes, broccoli.

You could try the three sisters:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture)
They could be courgettes, runner beans and sweetcorn

 

[Beth_B]

I'd also dig in some compost.