Is your plant bed drying out too fast to do your plants much good? Chances are your soil may simply be too light and sandy to retain moisture. Water may be running through before the roots can absorb what they need. But what can you do that does not involve digging up your plants while you renovate their bed?

Just follow four simple steps:

• Put about a 3/4 inch layer of newspaper on the ground between your plants, and then soak the newspaper thoroughly.
• Spread about 2 inches of compost on top of the newspaper;
• Snake a soaker hose through the bed so that it comes within a few inches of each flower clump. This way, when you water, it will go directly to the plants’ roots.
• Top the compost and the hose with 3 to 4 inches of chopped leaves or other organic mulch. Add more mulch as the layer thins out.

The secret to this soil improvement technique is the newspaper, as it will draw earthworms to the area. The worms will eat all the paper, and other organic matter, producing soil that is both moisture-retentive and well-drained.