How do you enrich soil in a border without disturbing existing plants?

Hi

I am an absolute beginner and I have inherited a garden attached to my new house. It's built on a new estate and I'm becoming aware that the layer of soil in which everything is planted is very shallow and a bit...rubbish. So I am assuming I should start to enrich this soil with organic matter and a good digging - however how on earth do I do this without trashing the roots of the shrubs in the border?

I am enthusiastic and keen to work but a bit stumped!

Many thanks
Heloise

 

Now as shrubs are just getting going again is a good time to feed - I would use Blood Fish and Bone meal , just sprinkled on the ground between the existing plants.
Then to improve the soil long term I would add a good layer of organic matter as a mulch between the plants. The worms will love it and incorporate it into the soil without you having to do anything - in addition the mulch will help suppress annual weeds and conserve water ( should we get adry summer)
Best option might be composted green waste, should your council sell it. It is usually quite cheap and should also be sterile so you won't introduce any more weeds. Failing that you could try to get spent mushroom compost ( unless you have Rhododendrons,Azaleas or camelias which won't like the lime ) Otherwise it could be well rotted manure but this can be difficult to get hold of - lots of strawy or weedy stuff around so inspect before you buy.
No doubt about it an annual mulch of organic matter will improve all soils.

 

Thankyou for your advice!

I have been trying to make my own compost but it's not really great yet, I think it needs more time and more 'brown' in the mix.

 

I would suggest the big packs of bark mulch you can buy.

I have just created a new rose bed, by moving roses that were dotted around the garden into one bed, and I'm pleased to say they are all now budding. I dug a bag of 'organic farmyard manure' (from scats but you could get it anywhere, prepacked in a bag like compost) into the bed. I scattered feed granules around the bases of the plants, raked it in a little. Then saturated with water. Then mulched with 2-3 inches of forest bark. I am really pleased with how it looks.

I would suggest looking up on google videos 'how to mulch with bark' or words to that effect. It's good to see someone doing it on vid! But remember not to but right up to the plants with the mulch as it can make them rot. Think 'doughnut' around the base of the plants rather than 'sandcastle' and you'll be away.

I have the same problem as you, moved in last year and need to start building the quality of the soil. Good luck, and hope that helps.

 

Thanks Victoria!