Relocating here from Michigan. New home starting fresh flower gardens. I stopped at the nursery today to get some ideas, trees are first on list. No summer planting, October they start planting trees. Dirt is red, not black. I have a great deal to learn, so this is why I am here. I love my MI gardens and black dirt. I hope can learn to love the strange color soil and make things grow in it!

That's the heavy clay content in our soil. It can be very fertile but also very compacted and slow to drain. You'll get the knack of it.

Good morning and W elcome. Really need to break up the soil maybe with the tiller and amend with leaf mold or coarse compost. I would not put just sand unless it is very coarse grain. I grow iris and I till the cedar chip layer from the year before back into the soil before I plant. All wood needs to decay 1 to 2 years or it will poison the area for that planting season. But as far as fert, I don't use much more than bone meal, the nutrients are there.

I am bringing my tiller which will be of help. I assumed this was clay type soil. Rocks too as I walked around the area.

Hi, I am in Memphis, no rocks much in West Tn. Where are you? The profile info is not filled out yet, just go and fill this out and maybe others close by can help better or at least more specific.
I do know Hostas will do well with shade, the sun can be deadly here, unlike up north.

Welcome to the gang. Lots of great infor and even better people here willing and eager to help. Look around and read a bit. Soon you will have a garden to rival any you had in Michigan.