Planting shurbs - should I use new top soil

mawallace44

I have bought some shurbs which I am going to plant in the front gardern.

At the moment this part of the garden is the lawn - I am going to remove the turf and make a small bed. The soil is not very good so I was thinking rather than using the soil I removed that I fill the hole with new top soil.

Is this a good idea? Should I also add some compost to the hole.

 

Borderline

Yes, that is always a good idea, especially if you are removing turf and using the soil underneath. Just any compost or well rotted manure mixed in will help to open up the soil and create a more workable soil. More likely, the soil underneath will be compacted. Your shrubs will settle in quicker if you do that. If you have done this well, there is no need to add compost into the hole you have dug up.