How to add life back to my flower bed?? It is very dry!?

My husband and I have purchased this house, and it is our 1st spring/summer season... I found that the front flower bed is very dry... I have planted some tulips in the fall, and they are not coming in great at all...





I have bought a Iris and Peony bush to put in, and found that it is so dry that I can't even dig a hole... Also We have pretty big Maple and some evergreen planted in the flower bed, so there is alot of roots from the trees to make it impossible to dig holes.





Is there any methods that I can add back nutrients/moisture back to my flower bed, so I can plant my peonies/iris?? What kind of soil should I get?

How to add life back to my flower bed?? It is very dry!?
Improving the soil structure is one of the most important aspects of soil care, and adding organic matter is the most effective way to accomplish this. Organic matter also helps maintain the pH balance of the soil and adds nutrients.


Good topsoil is relatively dark in color, active with microorganisms, plant nutrients, and organic matter, and


usually has a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 (for non-acid loving plants).


To improve the soil structure, or tilth, add organic matter in the form of compost, cover crops, or yard waste. Yard waste such as shredded leaves, crop residues, straw, and similar materials should be tilled into the soil in the fall to allow decomposition through the fall and winter. At the same time, grass clippings, manure, or fertilizer should be incorporated to provide the extra nitrogen required to help break down the dry organic materials. This material can be composted and added to the garden in the spring if your prefer.


For soil that is primarily clay or sand, or that has a hard surface crust (water runs off), or is compacted, incorporate 2 to 3 inches of organic matter in the top few inches of soil and mulch liberally for several years. Also, plant cover crops each year until the soil is improved.





Raised beds or terraces are good solutions for improving extremely poor or shallow (bedrock close to surface or topsoil removed during construction) soil or soil with poor drainage. The site can also be graded, then covered with an 8 to 12 inch layer of topsoil - but guard against erosion. Poor drainage can also be helped by installing drainage tile.





Last but not least, mulch with bark or cocoa bean shells after you've planted. It keeps moisture in the soil, so you don't have to water as frequently and prevents weeds from growing. It also looks good!


Good luck!
Reply:I suggest you create a flower bed or several smaller flower beds elsewhere in your yard where tree roots will not be a problem.





Also, the plants you mentioned like sun. And maples produce a thick leaf crown and tend not to like other plants (except little maple trees) growing under them.





As far as the peony bush goes too, you might treat it more as a shrub or bush rather than a perennial. It does not have to be planted in a flower bed, per se. Plant it in a sunny place in your yard where you might want a shrub. Even after flowering, a peony bush looks nice.





You also have to water a flower bed, even if it is made up of largely perennials.





Peonies and iris tend to like rich, loamy soil.
Reply:It sounds as though your flower bed in the front is a bit crowded for more flowers, if you have room to plant more, it sounds as though you will need to add more soil[I like natures helper and maybe some mushroom compost, to the soil rent a tiller[small one for the area] and til in the soil, this will break up the old soil and help to incorporate the new soil. You could build a raised bed for the plants you want, you could also grow in containers. As far as you tulips go I would fig them up and replant them in some pots with better soil. With you having so many trees in your flower bed it is hard for the flowers to get the water and nutrients they need, the trees will drink up the moisture first, you do not want to cover the tree roots with dirt either, it is not good for the trees. Good luck to you, try some sedum, hens%26amp;chicks smaller plants that require dry soil you want have to water very often if you don't want containers or raised beds.
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Reply:Harry made some excellent comments. I'd only like to add that you could cover the soil in a good organic mulch, and water periodically. The much will break down and condition your soil. Hold off on planting a flower bed until next spring, and try to select hardy flower that like partial shade (because of the large trees).





If there's no irrigation in the flower bed, you could easily add a couple soaker hoses under the mulch, or consider adding more sprinklers (assuming you have sprinklers in your yard).

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