So I just purchased some soil for my new raised bed. When it came the soil was gray in color...I assumed it was just super dry and wheelbarrowed it from the right side of my driveway to the back left corner of my very large yard..it must have been at least 30 trips. I got it all in the bed, planted my roses, watered them and though it got much darker the dirt still had a grayish tone to it. It also seemed it took more time for the soil to absorb the water.

I called the company that I got it from and the lady says it's normal for it to appear gray and that it looks that way due to the fact that it's a mixture of 50 % compost and then has pecan shell mulch, pond sand, fish emulsion and granite to make up the other 50. She said that they add those things to help the soil retain moisture in our drought like area and also to provide nutrients to the plants. She said it's great soil for roses. However, it is my understanding that roses don't like to stay wet. Does this sound like a bad soil environment for my roses? If so, what can I do to help the situation that doesn't include emptying the bed?