In many gardens, a raised bed for peas is a great idea because the bed is drier and warmer in the spring than the ground.
Ideally, the bed should have loose soil 12 inches deep. A minimum of 6 to 8 inches is required for peas.
Avoid filling the bed with only ordinary garden or top soil, because the surface will crust over
and the bed will dry out faster.
Add potting mix, garden compost and a bit of sand.
Mix 1 part organic matter (peat moss, compost, etc.) to 1 part sand or perlite to 2 parts soil.
Be careful of too much nitrogen. A 5-20-20 fertilizer is a better choice.