Now would be a great time to add some really good soil. Either way, make sure that you've got good positive drainage away from your house. As a landscaper, we usually install the soil so that it's a bit mounded in the center or back, but when it reaches the edging, it should leave room for mulch or rock above it.

Most every thing I have seen over the years from the universities says soil should have, or the optimal level of organic matter is, 5 percent organic matter. However, the testing of my soil over the years has been in the 6 to 8 percent range and the plants grow most bestest at that level, in my soil. That is also the level I have gotten soils in NW Indiana and SE Ohio and plants thrive there as well with that level of organic matter. I also know, from other peoples gardens, that when the level of organic matter in soils drops below 5 percent problems with insects and plant diseases increases. I also know that when the level of organic matter in soils is much above around 10 percent the soil often holds too much moisture and plants roots show signs of rotting if close attention to moisture levels is not maintained. I have used these simple soil tests, Soil test for organic matter. 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. For example, 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 drainsâ 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 your 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. for many years along with sending soil samples to MSU for pH and major nutrient testing. These are all tools to help the gardener know as much as possible about the soil they are planting in.

yes, you would be much better buying a tonne (1 cubic metre)of topsoil. Here is the UK, it comes delivered in a builders bag but quality does vary. Most potting mixes are multi-purpose and just do not have the heft of a decent loam - OK for a season or so and, in pots, top dressing can keep it doing well enough but for raised beds, there will be sources of topsoil which professional landscapers will use, which will keep their structure, hold onto water and nutrients and provide better anchorage for roots. Of course, you can amend this with all sorts of humus snd mulches.

Welcome to the forum, I found this forum In Spring of 2008. I had a few old daylilies but knew the name of none of them. I bought a lot more than three daylilies that first year, here is a picture two years later...yep, that garden bed is two years old, so 10 years isn't at all necessary to get the look you want. You want to allow your daylilies to form nice clumps before you separate them but as long as they get adequate water and a bit of food, they'll do fine. You will have to eventually separate them to have blooms, but a lot of mine will be separated for the first time this year.. My garden is a typical one. I have several beds that have only daylilies, and I have one bed that has many different flowers (including dayllilies), with the aim to create a cottage garden look. Look back about 40 pages (bottom of page), and you will see many posts of beautiful daylilies. You can buy daylilies very reasonably, but I will warn you it is something that is almost addictive. Just keep looking at forum and you will soon be seeing beautiful flowers. Again, welcome to the forum kay