Question: Every year I loosen the soil in my garden, and every year, in the same places I dug the year before, I find huge rocks. (Last year, one rock weighed at least 50 lbs!) Help! Where are these rocks coming from? Should I have some topsoil delivered and build the area up?

Answer: We northern gardeners have to deal with the dynamic effects of frost that heave rocks to the soil surface every spring. "Picking stone" is a never-ending job in some places.

You might consider using raised beds and planting intensively in them rather than continuing to fight the rocks. This can be done using a frame of boards or other materials to raise the soil, or by simply piling the soil with a steep side to it. Loosen the existing soil and then add amendments as needed to improve and enrich it. Be sure to add ample quantities of organic matter such as compost, rotted leaves, or aged stable manure and bedding. This will raise the soil level above the surrounding area. You can also add soil from the pathways or elsewhere on your property to increase the volume in the beds.

Importing topsoil is an option, but not really necessary. And often the soil it is a poor match to the existing soil and can cause a whole new set of problems with drainage, etc.

Finally, it's always useful to run some basic soil tests to make sure you are on the right track with your amendments, pH and fertility.