I have to dig out my garden bed and bring in new soil. This will be my first garden. We have really rocky soil and want to bring better soil. It hasn't stopped raining and I feel a little behind, but I am hoping for some dry days soon. Any advice on how much of the dirt and rock to get rid of, how far to dig down?

Between 18-24", imho. I'd take out the first 18" or so, then dig another length of the spade to loosen the soil beneath, and then add the new soil. "The Square Foot Gardener" has a good section on how to either amend the soil you have, or mix "ingredients" to make a great veggie-garden soil.

It won't help you much now, but one of the best times to dig a garden (in the NE of the US anyway) is in the late summer or fall. You don't want to dig it while it's too wet (as it often is in the spring around here), or you have the possibility of compacting the soil too much.

I agree... we brought it two truck loads of compost and soil last year and this year we need another two loads I would say. I only went down about 12" (Mostly sod). So I would agree, go about 18" to 2 ft down... That would be the best...

Good luck!

Love Val