new to growing flowers. Need Help with soil contents

We moved into this house going on 4 years ago. (eastern NC) When we moved in we had over grown shrubs lining the front of the house. The older lady that lived here just let them grow and grow. My Father and husband decided to just pull them up instead of just trying to trim them first. I was Pregnant with twins immediatley after this so the front of the house just has remained bare for all this time. I have purchased several varietes of azeleas, easy care rose bushes and lilac bushes to cover the front along with some lower dwarf varieties for the window spaces. Since the grass ( weeds) have grown up against the house now what is the best way to get rid of it to create a flower garden. I have read several things that says just shovel it up in sort of a matt and get rid of it to helpfully discourage the weed regrowth.Is there any weed sprays that can be used to discourage weed growth fruther but not harm the flowers? If I do that I would need to replace the dirt so would I buy bags of top soil? potting soil? Incorperate peat? or manure? The soil that we have in these areas seems to be a pretty good soil. It's not full of clay or sand. It seems to be a rich brown/black. I'm sure I need to get the soild tested but is there a basic mixture that can be used? I've also read that using carboard or newspaper is a good way to replenish the soil. We of course are going to use mulch as a topper.I have so many questions and so little time before April when my plants get here. I would love to have the area prepared and waiting. Thanks so much for your Help!!!

The simplest and most immediate method for removing the grass/weeds is a scuffle hoe. A scuffle hoe is a weeder that removes growth at the soil line. It also stirs up the very top level of the soil so the roots of the grass and weeds can be removed easily. The hoe looks like a stirrup. You can find them at almost any garden center for about $20.

I am not a fan of weed sprays or herbicides. I hand pick weeds and use the scuffle hoe to weed around my plantings. I also use weed block fabric wherever possible.

You can never go wrong adding compost and/or manure especially for your roses. Since you are starting a new flowerbed I would suggest adding one or both of these to the entire bed and working them in several inches before adding your plants.. I shred up the fallen leaves each autumn and use the shreds as both mulch for my flowerbeds and as an additive in planting holes. When planting, I use the soil from the planting hole mixed with topsoil, leaf mulch, manure, etc to backfill the planting hole. Also remmeber the golden rule: dig a $5 hole for a 50 cent plant. This means to make sure your planting hole is plenty roomy enough for your plant. Water a bit in the hole, add your plant, backfill, water again and gently tamp down the soil around your plants. Another thought since this is a new bed, as you are watering in the planting hole watch to make sure the water is draining. If the water stands in the planting hole you will want to amend the soil for better drainage OR move over a few inches and dig in another area. Sometimes drainage is poor in one area and fine in an immediately joining area. In fact, I would suggest digging the planting holes and checking draininage before you even have the plants. This way you can make adjustments/amendments as needed and then set in your plants. I know it sounds like alot of work but the greatest amount of loabor goes into preparing your beds. It is so much simpler to correct soil, drainage, etc before the plants are in place.

Cardboard and newspaper make fine weed blocks but I have never heard of using them to replenish soil.


This message was edited Mar 26, 2012 10:49 AM

It would be easier to cut up and remove the sod. I use a simple shovel, but be ready, it can be hard work. The main reason I would go through the effort is because it will be easier than to smother the grass/weeds using newspaper and mulch and trying to dig throughthe sod to plant.
I'll probably be the exception on this website in that I have no objections to using glyphosate (Round-Up) to kill unwanted weeds. (contrary to what many say, I DO believe its as safe as salt water). If you over spray the area you still have the dead sod to contend with.
So, what I would do is: 1. dig it up; 2. replace with a mixture of bagged top soil and composted manure.
I'd stay away from peat. It doesn't add much nutient to be worth the cost.