Specialty Gardening: starting two new beds - what's your favorite soil mix?, 1 by huggergirl

huggergirl wrote:
peonyrosegirl,sounds like you dont really need to add leaves this year,but Iam sure alittle chopped dry leaves wont hurt the mix,If it will make you feel better, add a little,i mix in chopped dry leaves every spring and it seems to be fine.Dont over do it ! When I amended my lovely clay soil,I dug the clay out,then I would add,sand ,peat,dry chpd.leaves,some clay, top soil or what ever the pile of dirt we keep out back,and compost,I add and mix and add and mix,we always have a truck load of top soil out here,something always needs backfilled !! i used a lot of peat it really helps break down the clay,also as mulch i used hardwood it it breaks down quickly,I work it in to the soil,before i add more fresh mulch,about every 2-3 yrs, anyway I dont Cuss my clay anymore!!! Tamara