Question
QUESTION: For my birthday, my husband bought me a truckload of "topsoil" for my garden - flowers and vegetables. When he used some of it straight to fill holes in the grass where he'd removed boulders, the soil became almost solid, like cowpies. I mixed it with peat moss and bagged potting soil before I planted grass seed. Even mixed it still hardens and clumps. Does this mean there is a lot of clay in the soil? It was supposed to be from a farm that was divided up with public roads and the original owner scraped off the topsoil to save it before the roads were built. He's been selling it for years apparently. I heard about mixing clay soil with some kind of lime that breaks down the clay. Can you suggest something I can do to improve my gift soil? I don't want to seem ungrateful but I'm afraid to use it as it is as I don't see how much can grow through it once it hardens from the rain. I really appreciate you sharing your expertise.

ANSWER: Hi Judy, I don't know what your new topsoil consists of, peat will harden like a rock when dry, but clay is the best soil to start with, it just needs to be loosened.  The most important thing to avoid is layers of unlike soil.  If you fill a hole with soil, dig the hole larger and blend your new and old soils for a more uniform consistency.  If you are using the new soil in raised beds, add 30-40% organic matter (leaves, ground bark, compost, manure, grass clippings, etc).
If this was the topsoil from a farm, it was tilled every year by the farmer to grow crops which he fertilized.  It may or may not be fertile soil.
I'm not a big fan of peat moss.  During wet periods, it holds a lot of water, once dry, it's difficult to "re-wet".  Mother Nature adds leaves and stems each year to make topsoil.  It's seems like a good idea to follow her lead.  Jim

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QUESTION: So, it isn't necessary to add lime to the soil? I saw that on a garden show on TV. To add this soil to my present flower garden beds, should I mix it up in my large garden cart proportionately as in your previous answer, then dig my old bed over with it? I will do as you suggest in my new raised vegetable beds.  Thank you.

Answer
Lime should only be added if needed.  The pH should be around 6.5 for vegetables and most flowers.  You can buy an inexpensive test kit or meter, or most garden centers will test your pH for free.  A 40 lb. bag of pelletized lime applied to 1000 sq. ft. will raise your pH about 1/2 point.  So if your pH is 5.5, then you need about 80 lbs of lime per 1000 sq. ft.
If your older beds are unplanted, then I'd spread the organic matter over the top and till it in.  If it's planted, I'd just do site amendment for new plants or lift struggling plants and amend the soil.  Jim