Hi,

I'm planning a planting bed in an area with a lot of sandy soil. What is the best way to dig up an area that is about 10 x 5, rent a rototiller?

Also, how exactly do you go about adding soil ammendments? I'm assuming the process is to rototill until things are broken up, then dump a bunch of compost, peat moss, and perhaps some potting or garden soil on the area and maybe spade turn it to mix it all in?

How many inches down should I try to do the ammendment? 3-5 or more?

I have an existing young lilac (about 4 feet tall, less than 1" stem) in the area I want to till. If I bring in the tiller, should I worry that I am going to cause too much damage to the roots? Should I try to move it out and then put it back after I till?

Sorry about the endless questions, I am a newbie and have no idea.

Thanks in advance