Often the success of failure of a landscape planting is based upon what happens below the ground. Success below ground begins with proper soil preparation. Whether you consider yourself blessed or cursed by heavy clay soil, sandy soil, or loamy soil, you can improve your soil through the addition of organic material. By adding organic material, not only do you add beneficial nutrients but you also increase water retention in sandy soils while aerifying and loosening heavy clay soils. Organic material may take many forms but compost and peat moss are the most common and available.
When preparing to plant, you may choose to prepare an entire planting bed, as is the case for perennial borders, or you may choose to prepare individual planting areas, as is the case for trees and shrubs. Either way, don't skimp on materials. For perennial beds, a 2" layer of organic material incorporated into the existing soil to a depth of 6-8" is the minimum recommendation. A single tree may benefit from a few bags of compost and half a bale of peat. Could you add more? Of course! Just don't create a ratio of more than 50% organic material to 50% existing soil. Try not to work the soil when too wet either. If the ground forms a muddy ball in your hand, wait a few days for it to dry out before continuing. You get one chance to prepare the soil your trees and shrubs will occupy for many years to come. Make the most of your opportunity. Dig it!
