Earth in my borders. i have built up new borders about 2 foot wide and 4 foot deep, i have filled it with....

topsoil i sivved by hand from another landscaped garden. My problem is, now filled up (no plants in yet) the soil has hardened as i compacted it down (95% mud and 5% clay, small stones of clay). will plants grow once i have tilled it (im worried the soil is too hard for the roots) or do i need to buy some garden centre topsoil which is softer and mix it in???

Earth in my borders. i have built up new borders about 2 foot wide and 4 foot deep, i have filled it with....
I'm assuming you need compacted fill dirt for your borders[?], so just add 4-6 inches of loose topsoil and compost mix, on top of the compacted stuff. Most plants will not need much deeper than this.
Reply:Any compost or organic material will help improve the texture of the soil. Commercial compost will work if you don't have a free alternative.
Reply:till some sand and peat moss in...
Reply:I can't help you, however, the County Extension Office will have some print-outs to help you. That is where I found out that I shouldn't have a rotor-tiller. I would beat/mix/till the very life out of my soil. I probably couldn't stop myself. I wish you luck.
Reply:Yes dig it over and add some compost to lighten it up a bit. It sounds as though it has dried out as well, this won't help. Plants grow in heavy clay so you shouldn't have any problems but make sure you keep them watered