When moving into a new home should we do anything to the soil

Tamara
by Tamara
I just bought a new home, and there are plants n, shrubs but the soil? I want to replant & make the yard mine, should I remove the topsoil & add new?

  8 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 27, 2018

    Have the soil tested. That is the best way to know what you have to work with.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 27, 2018

    you need to amend soil with garden soil and peat moss

    • Tamara Tamara on Jan 27, 2018

      Peat moss oh have never heard that ok Thank u for this 👏

  • Huntress Huntress on Jan 27, 2018

    If you have plants and shrubs growing already, your soil should be ok. Do you wantto take out what you have ? I learned from my mistakes on my first yard, don't waste money on "it's so pretty " a lot of loss with inappropriate plantings. I recommend you look at established yards in your area and take pictures of the ones you like. If you see people gardening, stop and ask about their plantings. The best ones to ask are us crazy ones who are in the yard in the middle of summer when everyone else has gone inside to the a/c, lol. You may like a certain tree and yet seeing it in a hard at maturity will change your mind. You can do container gardening using pots that you can move around which will help give you an idea how things will look. You can also leave things in lplanters, I even have trees in large pots. Saves digging, easier to pull out it necessary and change seasonally. Look here and on Pinterest for planter ideas. I love Japanese maples they are a smaller tree, quite hardy, beautiful colors. Look on Amazon for them, colors can coordinate your house colors. Learn basics, annuals are only for that seson, don't come back, perennials do. pots allow for year round seasonal plantings. A lot of us crazy gardeners will share cuttings, extra plants etc. Once bitten with the bug, you will love it. Good luck.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Jan 27, 2018

    No need to replace the soil unless you are finding sand or clay, neither of which is ideal. I'd suggest, in this case, that you use compost and appropriat soil additives in the areas of your new plantings, and the use of manures and compost and fertilizers wherever you can. Try introducing earth worms as they are very beneficial.

  • Rod32297270 Rod32297270 on Jan 27, 2018

    Only Add topsoil if adding new plants or shrubs

  • Moo23921847 Moo23921847 on Jan 27, 2018

    have your soil tested and add the needed nutrients and compost'compost. compost.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 27, 2018

    No, Just add to it.......

  • Pg Pg on Jan 27, 2018

    There should be an agricultural extension service in your area. They will lend you and auger to obtain a soil sample, or samples from a few locations in your yard. (the auger is small and very easy to use)


    Take the sample back to them, and they will test your soil for you. They will then include a report of your soil pH and contents, and advise what to add or other changes needed to have a successful landscape/garden/lawn or whatever.


    There never used to be a charge, but not sure anymore about that. They are part of the US Government and paid for by our taxes. I hope this helps.