Who knows what "premium topsoil" is - depending on the supplier, it could be anything! The label of "premium" combined with a strong manure smell would lead me to believe it is some sort of soil enriched with some sort of animal manure. If that manure was not properly aged or composted, yes it could be too 'hot' and the high N content caused burning of the young plants.

If that's the case, it should be plantable now. But I agree with grubby that there are too many other unknowns to be certain that is the case, but it seems quite likely.

Why called it "premium topsoil"? why not "composted manure"? What is the ingredient there?

If a "soil" mix, or compost, smells strongly of manure it will be too strong, too rich in Nitrogen, to plant anything in. How long before that type of "soil" can be planted in depends on many variables. Another good reason why the buyer should look at what is being purchased, and delivered, before hand.

kimmq is kimmsr

I hope you (and others who might read this) complain to the supplier. They should not be selling 'premium topsoil' (presumably at a premium price) with a strong manure odor that burns plants. If they don't know about it they need to be edumacated.

If this article was not seen before it may be of some interest to some here.

http://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/sfn14.pdf

kimmq is kimmsr

Kimmq that article is just what I needed thx! And thx everyone for your input

Also, please consider that the plants that you put in may be the type to go dormant in the heat. I can't grow petunias or calla lilies here in the summer and the asian lilies definitely bloom once a year and go dormant until next year. What did you plant and how hot does your summer get? Is this a full sun bed?