Beds are too dry

Welcome to the vine catleigh, the beds are most likely moister than you think, have you pushed your hand or fingers deeper down as that is where you want to feed the roots of your plants. There is a link here which may help. Good luck.

Answers.com - What can you use to retain moisture in soil for a long period of time

An organic mulch retains moisture.

Welcome to the Grapevine Catleigh and although you might find it’s off-air in the next couple of days for maintenance you’ll get a full range of suggestions to your question…
Incidentally do add “Location” to your basic info as where you are is an important aspect.
One of the advantages of raised beds is they drain well and so don’t get too water-logged… as you’re discovering one of the disadvantages can be if they dry too quickly in warmer weather. Adding humus/manure/compost etc over a period of time will add to their water retentiveness but, depending on what you’re intending to grow in each at this stage, I wouldn’t treat them all the same –e.g. root crops such as carrots and parsnips will not do so well in a manure enriched soil. The other thing that is very helpful once you have crops underway is to “mulch” (i.e. a surface layer of compost that reduces evaporation from the surface so helping water retention of the layers underneath). If you have any of the 4 beds that you’re not immediately using covering them with cardboard can act as a overall mulch to prevent evaporation and as it weathers this can even be dug in (worms love it!) to add to the spongy water-retentive quality.
If you read the gardening books they will often say that the ideal is “friable” soil and it took me years to really know what it meant! If you take a handful and squeeze it “friable” soil will cling together but easily break up if rubbed, it shouldn’t be dry crumbly dust or sand nor should it stay as a lump of clay… by working the soil and feeding in humus and manure etc that the ideal to aim for in the longer term. Have fun!

Beginners often think the soil should be constantly wet, or that the surface should be moist. Neither is true, so don't panic

It's worth remembering how plants grow roots with the availability of water too.
If you frequently water them, the roots will be close to the surface and they won't be able to cope when it gets really hot and dry in the summer (possibly ), but if you don't water them unless they start to look a bit deprived, then the roots will go deep and they will have a much better chance of surviving dry weather and the will also grow better.

Of course when you newly plant things, you may have water anyway until they get settled.

Hi and welcome - I too have same sort of size raised beds - you could search the square foot gardening thread and have a read - I think you'll find it interesting.

Out of interest what sort of compost have you used to mix with your topsoil?
Was it homemade, or bags - peat or peat free - it can make a difference to water retention.

I'd also recommend adding well rotted manure to the mix as I find this helps
(bearing in mind what has been posted previously).

Have a great season and tell us how you're getting on.

francesbean

Wow - thanks for all the great responses and help. I really appreciate it. Will go through your replies in detail and let you know how I get on. Thanks again