I'm assuming you believe that you mean to follow one of the so-called "methods" that some writers tout to sell their books.

I like to keep it simple. My recipe for soil is native soil and as much compost as I have on hand, mixed into the top few inches. Mound it up (maybe pile on the topsoil removed from the paths) and you have a raised bed.

Beyond that, determine what your soil needs. A good soil test will determine what, if anything your soil needs.

Wayne

More than likely the only thing the soil you have will need is organic matter, but the only way to know that is to contact your local office of the Pennsylvania State University USDA Cooperative Extension Service about having a good, reliable soil test done for base soil pH and nutrient levels, then dig in with these simple soil tests to find out more about your soil and learn what you need to do to make it into a good, healthy soil that wil grow strong and healthy plants.
1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart.

4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer you soil will smell.

5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy.