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I have a small area in front of my house with some grass and existing shrubs. I want to make an L-shaped flower bed in my space without disturbing the existing shrubs.

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I have removed some of the grass and dug a bit to airate the soil. I have noticed that the soil is quite poor.

I can't tell if it's clay or silt. It clumps together and is very hard when it dries.

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I don't think it's ideal for annual flowers or bulbs. It will cost a lot of money to dig for 2 feet and to remove the soil all around in an L shape.

If I add compost, I don't think it will blend well into the existing soil and make it less clumpy.

What are some things I could try?

user1261710
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Feed the worms (provide mulch that's good worm food - grass clippings less than 3" deep work well, if not poisoned - can also tuck things like coffee grounds and tea leaves under the clippings), let them deal with blending, transporting, and aerating. You can also (dependent on local wildlife issues) make small pits to direct-bury food wastes for worm processing. Or, compost them in a vermin-resistant manner and then apply the compost.

As per usual, you should get a soil test to know what (and how much) amendments to apply, but in many cases clay soils benefit from applying gypsum. But mulch that breaks down easily or is attractive worm food (often the same thing) or compost applied to the surface will do much of what you need, with the help of the worms.

While it may not be "ideal" I grow daffodils, snowdrops, crocus and iris in truly awful clay soil and they manage. So "ideal" is optional. Marigolds, zinnia and nasturtiums also do fine on the annual flower front. Likely many more, but those are some examples I've got experience with in bad clay.

Ecnerwal
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