We just had to remove a deck that had rotted. Now we have nothing there...just dirt. An armadillo had burrowed under the foundation of the house in 3 places, close together, so we called a foundation guy to check and make sure everything was stable (it was)I mentioned I wanted to put raised beds there and he said 'That's the worst thing you can do next to your foundation...the soil amended soil and plants will hold water in that could hurt the foundation long term'
So now I am at a loss of what to do. And suggestions?

Add a French drain next to the foundation before placing a garden bed in it helps drain water and moisture away from the foundation. Add plantings at least 3- 4' from the foundation. Works great in my neck of the woods and it rains here from October- May...UGG !
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Thank you that's a great idea.

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So they are almost finished with the deck repair and building the steps. Then I can plan out my space!!!!!!!

A sounds like fun. Creativity is a good thing! Are you gonna plan for a four season area, annuals or Perinneals? Or all of the above?

It may not actually have inground plantings Both the foundation expert we consulted and my landscaper said it was a bad idea to build a raised bed at all so we didn't. They both said that we needed to leave the sand around the foundation and not build a retaining wall filled with amended soil that would hold water next to the house. They recommended sloping the sand down (it does that naturally anyway) to shed water and putting a layer of rocks like a rock garden. Then I could place some pavers and have container gardens. I'm going to take a photo tomorrow of the space and see what you guys think.