Improve your soil. This can be done by adding compost or well rotted manure on top of the soil in the fall but you can also add compost each spring. Just spread one to two inches on top of your soil around the feet of your roses and perennials and work the compost into the top six inches of soil in your vegetable garden. Both veggies and roses will also need fertilizer. Your perennials should be springing to life soon and a frosting of compost will perk them up as well. You can buy compost in bags at any nursery. IF all this still sounds confusing get a copy of my book Easy Answers for Great Gardens\" (Amazon sells it or go to my website at www.binettigarden.com ) and you can read all the answers to the most asked gardening questions. The first chapter explains fertilizers and how to improve your soil. Welcome to the wonderful world of growing - hope you put down roots. \"