Question
After 12 years we've removed the landscape rock and cloth from the flower/shrub beds.  The soil is like cement and the roots of the established plants that we want to keep are on the surface.  How do I improve the soil without damaging the plants.  We don't want rock. We live in Kelowna which is hot and dry in the summer. I've read newspaper with a mulch on top. I've also been told we need to dig mulch into the soil around the plants, but I'm afraid to do that because of all the exposed roots. I don't want to kill any of the plants. What kind of mulch would you suggest?

Answer
Hi Shelly, To improve the soil, I'd spread a mixture of finely ground pine bark and compost or manure over the area (not more than a half inch).  Then take a digging fork and just repeatedly stab the surface which drives the organic matter an inch or so into the ground without doing significant root damage.
I'm not a big fan of newspaper for a barrier between the mulch and the soil.  I do like landscape fabric.  It provides better air and moisture movement.  For a top mulch, my preference is pine needles, then hardwood, cypress or shredded pine mulch.  Jim