Flowerbed question...?

How deep should the soil be for a flowerbed? 6 inches? 12 inches?



I'm planning to have topsoil delivered for my Perennial flower seedlings that will be 1 ft to 4 ft tall when mature.



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Flowerbed question...?
As long as you work the existing soil before you add the top soil, six inches should be fine. If not, the plants' root systems will grow out instead of down. While working the existing soil, amend it with manure, composted material, such as humus, or a little sand. You can also add peat moss, but make sure it is WET before you add it. When adding organic matter to planting beds or gardens, add at least 2 inches on top of the bed and work in evenly to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
Reply:I would say a minimum of 12 inches, 18-24 would be better. The roots of some large perennials can go pretty deep. The previous owners of my house did the flower bed out front, and it is only 12 inches or so deep....not much to work with when you are planting larger plants, and the soil underneath is packed clay. I have noticed that my spring bulbs don't do well in this bed either. You may want to have a soil test done on your topsoil to see what it needs, some are not so great....you aren't getting black dirt are you? That stuff is usually mucky and has little nutrition. If you don't have access to a soil test, be sure to fertilize when you plant.
Reply:I agree with Ginny, the deeper the better. The more depth you have that is worked and nurtured the less the need to water and fertilise. Work in a lot of humus to your topsoil to give it some body. Topsoil on its own is not particularly nutritious and tends to be quite dry and heavy.
Reply:Is this going to be a raised bed? I would say 12 inches.



Remember topsoil is not all that good in regard to fertilizer so you will have to add some good soil like black gold when you plant your flowers