Hello,

We have two areas (one about 15'x7' and the other about 10'x3') that desperately need to be landscaped (images below). We live in Durham, NC, where the soil has a lot of clay. If we plan on planting a number of small plants and shrubs, should we replace roughly the first foot of soil and put better soil in, or somehow mix the existing soil with other organic material before planting new plants and shrubs?





Thanks,

Andy

Mix it. If you just do the one kind of dirt on top of clay the roots won't leave the comfy hole you created. Make sure to keep the edges rough as well. Don't make it super smooth because that makes it hard for roots to penetrate.

I'd say mix. Trouble is, that's work. Double-dig - deep as you can - fork, compost, rake, turn, mulch. It took me about three years to make clay soil into a good vegetable garden, but you might have an easier time with ornamentals https: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/...
Another alternative is to go one little patch at a time. Dig a few holes, improve the soil in them, plant shrubs or large perennials, like hostas or Russian sage to make attractive islands. Next year, dig holes between those holes and plant something else.

I plant shrubs here in straight clay and they do fine but I also mulch and mulching with leaves is even better because it enriches the soil faster than wood mulch.