At 17:01 19-11-2005, you wrote: >I had been reading about the good bulbs which grow on the European terra rossa soils, and thought I was replicating them; the surface of the bed is about eighteen inches above the ground level. I thought that height would solve all of my drainage problems. Not so: I lost several plants in this bed simply because only the surface of the soil dries out much even when the bed is covered with a glass pane from early June until October. Weeds thrive under the glass without a drop of rain for months on end. > >Small particle soils/clays are great at retaining both nutrients and >moisture. Bulbs in general thrive on these soils, but it's hard to dry out >these soils. > > >Jim McKenney Where I live in Denmark, there is limestone underneath (very far down) and clay silt on top. I use raised beds, but not for drainage, since drainage is perfect. I have never seen puddles in my garden, or anywhere near here. I have dug very deep holes to find another color clay, but to no avail - it is black black as far as I dig. Great soil! Carol