What should the consistancy of sub-soil look like?

[Lucy Ghinn]

Should sub-soil be very rocky/stoney & compact ? Thanks. Lucy.

[tomc]

Should sub-soil be very rocky/stoney & compact ? Thanks. Lucy.

It very often can be quite compact. Raised beds tends to get people-feet off of vegetable or flower space(s). Mulch and eventual double digging will push the growing space horizon deeper.

If you were growing parsnip or carrot sifting becomes a more important issue. Less so for others things.