Perennial Holes

• 1). Dig a hole for a tree or plant that is five times as wide and as deep as the root ball.
  
  
• 2). Add 2 to 3 inches of sand to the bottom of the hole.
  
  
• 3). Set the tree in the hole so the top of the root ball is flush with the ground's surface.
  
  
• 4). Replace 10 percent of the removed soil with compost.
  
  
• 5). Fill the hole with the amended soil.
  
  

Raised Beds

• 1). Dig an area for the garden bed that is at least 1 foot deep and a minimum of 8 feet wide.
  
  
• 2). Replace 25 percent of the soil with compost.
  
  
• 3). Build up the bed so it is 2 feet high with a mixture of compost and gardening soil. Buy commercially prepared gardening soil to add to the mix to build up the bed, if necessary.