The soil really is alive given the numbers of different life forms living in there, I know it has its advantages. But once a plant i set it's a pain to move it or loose the soil to add something.
I would go with compost, it's something I never used so I need a compost guide for dummies
but I know it's the way to go to improve the soil. Simply it's something that scares me, just the idea of digging makes me tired!!