I have just taken over three raised beds with poor soil quality. They are all three heavy clay soil and don't seem to have grown well in the past. Any suggestions on how to prep the soil for spring planting?
A soil test is a good idea. Dig a hole and note out how quickly water drains from the hole. Check out the tree insert from Surrey Now that was published a week or two ago. It has some drainage rates for reference. Most likely you will want to add organic material fairly regularly because it will decompose. Don't work your soil when it is wet-- and don't add sand; you will make a fine cement mixture if you do. E.