How can I improve sandy soil so I can grow flowers?

Dig in bulky organic matter, such as well-rotted manure and compost. You can easily make a compost bin to use your own garden waste. Hostafan1 In autumn, cover the area with a 10cm layer of well-rotted manure, then in spring do the same and dig it in. Or cover the areas without plants with wet newspaper or cardboard, then top with compost or manure to stop all the goodness washing away and you can plant into the compost. The cardboard will rot over time. Topsoiled It’s best to avoid moisture-loving plants. Rudbeckias and echinaceas love sandy soil. I’m aiming for prairie planting, which seems to cope in these conditions. But the rules don’t always apply. I’ve also found that moisture-loving astrantias do well. Peanuts3 I’ve been using peat-free compost – it’s excellent for adding fibre and body to sandy soil, and takes up moisture better than the dried peatbased stuff. Just spread the contents over the beds and the worms will pull it down into the soil for you. Iamweedy You can mulch at any time as long as the ground underneath isn’t bone dry or frozen solid. Hostafan1