Desperate for help on choosing the right soil! No idea

Hello,

I just recently joined Dave's Garden because I am in the final process of choosing a landscaper, and there is a nagging question about soil. I have no experience with gardening or planting or anything related. I've been trying to educate myself a bit so I'm not completely blind, but I am getting stuck on the soil thing. Specifically, are you always supposed to replace the soil when starting? I have one landscaper telling me he brings in his own soil, so he can guarantee the plants will grow well. The other gentleman says he only plants in the soil I have now because the plants have to be able to survive in the environment I currently have. He chose specific plants for that reason. He said if I bring on different soil, it tends to cause root rot b/c the roots don't want to go out beyond the new soil. Is this completely wrong? Each landscaper is saying the other one doesn't know what he's talking about. I have my greatest confidence in the latter gentleman "don't replace soil", but I'm really concerned I may make the wrong choice and kill all the plants. Which one is correct?

I really would appreciate any advice you could give me. I've narrowed it down to 2, and I really don't want to start over interviewing any more landscapers. Ir's a very small, simple job at this phase, so I'm trying not to complicate the decision, but I don't want to waste money on plants that will die soon b/c I didn't install them properly.

Thank you for any help.

Kind regards,
Katya

Part of it depends on what you're planting--if they're things that will do well in your native soil, then they ought to be fine without new soil. If they don't do well in your native soil and if they are small plants with relatively small root systems then bringing in new soil on top can help them thrive, but for larger trees/shrubs the roots will have to go out into your native soil eventually so you need to choose things that will do well in your soil or else you'll have problems in the long term. So assuming you're planting larger things (trees/shrubs), I would trust landscaper #2 since he specifically chose plants that would work in your native soil.

This is the second time today that I am echoing ecrane, so yes, go with the landscaper who works with what you have. Depending on outside soil doesn't seem a very "gardener" way to go. I do purchase bags of amending soil from time to time, but it's intended to improve, not replace, existing soil.

I agree with ecrane and patti, to use your native soil. The landscaper who gave that advice is more knowledgeable because he has to know what works in your area and in your conditions. There are a lot of plants that are available in an area to buy, but they all aren't suitable for that area. Ultimately the larger, longer-lasting, and usually more expensive plants have to deal with the native soil situation. Even if you amend your soil for the smaller stuff, which I do all the time in order to improve conditions in the areas that I am working in more often, one still has deal with the native soil.

Go by and visit your local Ag agent office. They are a wealth of information and can help you. You can talk to a Master Gardener there who's learned the answer to your questions.

Xtal

I would also contact your local extension office (probably through the university of FL) There are extension offices in each county. They have master gardeners that volunteer and can answer your questions. They are knowledgeable and it is free. But it is a great resource that not everyone knows about in each community throughout the country. I am a MG but in Arizona. I say stay w/ your native plants if you are going to use some containers you can add enriched soil but the landscaper who told you that once your plants get past the ammended soil they may start to have issues is right. There are plenty of plants acclamated to your zone and region and they can be native plants to similar planting regions. For example I use plants that grow in desert regions of Australia and Africa yet they are still native desert plants. The local extension office can probably mail you a plant/tree/shrub list to get you started. They have hundreds and hundreds of publications and probably have a website also.

I would add to the vote for the soil you already have, other than someone taking over a building site or contaminated soil there is no rhyme nor reason to replace all the garden soil and I don't know anyone (I know many experienced gardeners) who could neither fund changing all the soil or wanting to do this. You wont know where the soil has come from, how fertile it is and what was it used for before you get it. The other point mentioned is a really good valid one, as you plant you almost always need to add some form of organic RICH compost etc, etc to the planting hole so the new plants get a good start, they feed off the compost and it helps retain moisture/ air / and feed to the soil, but this is like you adding flavorings to your cooking, it makes the meal taste better, you don't throw the meal out and go get a Burger, well some might ha, ha, ha.
Make sure the guy who is doing the job for you has done a soil test, has chosen plants that grow in your conditions, like soil, temp, PH, shade /sun etc, etc, and most important, you like the plants he has chosen, it's your garden and you have to live with it a long time, also make sure he tells you what care the plants need and has he got a contact number should you find the plants dying for whatever reason.

Landscaping is not a cheap project to have done so, research and make sure you right down all the questions you have when he comes around or you will forget them quickly.
Ask IF he has an after care visit, how many visits and make sure your home when he does these visits so you can walk around the area with him. Does he label with instructions for all the plants, does he have a plant list attached to the design, so you find such and such a plant as you walk, All these are important things you need to know no matter what guy you choose. it may turn out by the way that the guy who wants to give you new soil has over ordered from another job and wants you to pay for this over sight, maybe he is OK, but believe me, in this game, you don't take anyone on face value for your sake and their's. Don't start till your sure about everything, I would always advise landscaping to-wards summers end as the hot sun is not going to ruin the work / plants .lawns etc, and will require less watering, the plants have less stress and the cooler evening temps are better for plants to settle into their new situation.
Good luck. WeeNel.