New planting beds - how to improve the soil?

[PointerParty]

I had planting beds built in the garden last autumn, prior to that the garden was all paving/astroturf. Given the time of year I bought a few shrubs and popped them in, thinking I would plant more in spring. The shrubs didn't do brilliantly, except the buddlieia which has thrived after an initial protest.

So a few weeks ago I decided to remove the struggling plants and they were very wet and looked to have root rot. It turns out the landscaper had used a 1:1 mix of mushroom compost to topsoil. I've been digging the beds out again and I've added a lot more topsoil to improve drainage, I've probably got to about 1:2 of compost to soil now. But in digging out all the beds, I didn't see a single worm!

I am itching to put some more plants into the garden but I suspect it could be money down the drain at this point. Any tips on how to improve the soil? Should I be testing it for acidity? Thanks!

Watching with interest. I also have taken up paving. I have dug it over and am going to pick up some well rotted manure from a farm and also plant a green manure that you grow then dig in to bulk out the soil and add texture.

It's worth checking your local recycling centre. Ours has free soil improver made from the green waste bin collections. You are allowed three big bagfuls per trip, which you fill yourself. At various times I have gone several times in a month and got loads. It's really made a difference to existing beds and also a long new bed I planted round my pond. Along with some homemade compost and some bags of manure, the plants all said thank you very much.

Green manure is a great idea! I did not know that about recycling centres, there's one 5 minutes away so I'll pop down and ask!