Get information and supplies for soil testing at your county Extension office. For best results, spend the little extra money needed to buy some good organic matter, or better yet, begin collecting and preparing your own composted organic matter. Organic matter helps the root growth of your ornamentals in several ways. It loosens tight clay soils and causes loose sandy soils to hold more water for a longer period of time. There are several good organic materials.
Peat moss is ideal for most ornamentals.
Ground pine bark is also very good. Leaf mold from the woods and compost are satisfactory as well. Sawdust is used by a number of Alabama nurseries. However, sawdust can rob the soil of its nitrogen supply. If this happens, plant leaves will turn light yellow.