New dirt? Do they suggest that you change the air in your tires as well?

There's very little "bad dirt"- just soil that may need amendment. I don't know your soil, it's pH, etc- but in general- a healthy mix of whatever soil you have with compost, and topped with mulch- will work for flowers. The pH may be off, or not (only a test could say), but if you grow roses and other stuff in the soil already, then you should be fine.

New dirt. Now that's funny :)

I thought I should be able to amend it but then again I didn't want to spend more money amending it then I would purchasing already amended soil. I also wanted to start it off right and hopefully get rid of some of the dirt that we have leftover.

When I said I grow roses and such in the soil already, I should clarify. I don't grow it in the soil that came from the pool dig but in other non-raised beds. Basically, I have three roses, daylilies, amaryllis, and other perinneals that I just plopped in our ground after removing the grass and they have grown with little care. Matter of fact, I didn't amend a bit and only mulched a little. I was very pregnant and the heat got to me so I let them go last summer and yet they were beautiful and even more full and have more blooms already. I don't know if there is a difference in the soil from the pool dig or the soil that I planted after removing the grass or not though.

As for amending, what do I use? I don't have a compost bin/pile. However, I do have lots of freshly cut grass clippings. It was very tall and when we mowed, it left large piles of grass clippings. Can I use them? We also have pine trees and oak trees that have dropped their leaves/needles. Would this help to add to the soil or does it need to compost for a while? Thanks again for your help!

Sometimes, especially near a coastal area, the soil that is just a few feet from the surface of the existing soil is anaerobic or water table muck. It can be ultra fine textured and may even contain large amounts of sodium.

THAT can be the problem with the soil from your pool dig. Perhaps your local extension office has some light to shed on the subject of local soils.

By the way, I grow many things in unamended clay, as well. And with great success!

Organic amendments can include compost (purchased), fallen leaves (especially if crunched up by the mower), composted bark fines or soil conditioner, etc.

I would probably use that soil and top with an organic mulch. Any of the things you mentioned could be used- grass clippings, pine needles, oak leaves (best shredded first). And if you don't like the looks of that you could top the grass clippings or whatever with shredded wood mulch or chips or whatever look you prefer.

I honestly would probably use that soil mixed with some compost, too, even if you have to buy the compost.

Karen