Flower bed soils

rickyburtonsmith86

Hi, 

I've recently dug out 4 conifers to create a new flower bed, the soil is very dusty and some roots are still present in the bed, the aim is too put 2 magnolias and a acer in the bed, should I improve the soil first seems to be only the first inch that's dusty, do the other roots need to be removed to? I've read that conifer can mess up the soil. 

Borderline

You should try to dig up as many roots as possible. Add in barrow loads of well rotted manure or compost to help bulk up the soils. Planting something as permanent as Magnolias and Acers deserve more time to prepare the soils. I would even suggest, you let it rest for a few days to a week and then add in more again and then work in again. 

rickyburtonsmith86

OK, thank you for your advice, I thought that may be the answer, I have about 400l of compost I can add, so will add that tomorrow after digging the roots out, and attemp to source some manure. Thanks for your help.