Saturday, I have front-end loader (whatever that is!) coming to dig out sod, etc. for new lily and rose beds. Since I can literally start from scratch this time, does anyone have any recommendations re: kinds of compost, mulch etc.? Last bed we hand dug and just put 12 bags of 'county' compost in. This time I am having leaf humus delivered for the lily bed, and also mulch. I do have good soil-used to be a lake bed here, and since the house was built in the 50's-not part of a sub-division, the top layer was not removed. Would the leaf humus be good for the roses also?

Haven't chosen the other compost and/or mulch yet. Any recommnedations appreciated

Sorry no one's answered your question yet, Cyndy. I don't use compost or mulch, so I can't be of any help to you there, but one of the reasons my soil is so good is that I have a lot of deciduous trees and I never rake up the leaves, so leaf humus probably is a good thing.

Thanks...........it's kind of a strange question I know cuz most people don't do it this way, but I ran into people with the skills, and machinery for very little $ so I am. Also have the option of getting sweet peet for half price and am thinking tilling that in.. Also collecting banana peels from neighbors. For various reasons, which I'm sure you can understand the roses have increased from 8 to 12. . My other bed has 8 and was hand dug. As long as I have the equipment I want to do the best I can. Appreciate the feedback.