Red clay soil in Atlanta drains badly. It holds too much water around new roots. Plants bought at a big store often die in weeks if they go straight into hard clay. We've seen homeowners in Grant Park lose whole beds of azaleas. The soil was never broken up first. Atlanta's hot, wet summers also stress new plants. So timing matters a lot. Spring and early fall are the best times. That's before the heat climbs past 95. Understanding the science behind landscape horticulture [1] shows why soil prep and plant picks matter more here. If your yard has bare patches, dying shrubs, or soggy soil, it's time to call.