Fertilizing Existing Flower Beds

Question

I have some flower beds, mixed perennials/annuals, and I would like to amend the soil for better growth and blooming. Short of digging up the bulbs and plants, is there any way to topdress these beds to accomplish this? I live in the Northeast, if that matters. Thanks.

Answer 1

You can use a small shovel, trowel or hoe to loosen (not dig) the soil around your plants and in other areas of the bed. Then simply mix in some compost or other organic matter, such as well rotted manure--some people also choose to just sprinkle this in top of the existing soil, which is fine but this will take longer to absorb into the soil. Top with mulch (preferably organic type) once plants begin popping up.