What is well drained soil?

It's planting season again and I have gone overboard on annuals. There were so many healthy, vibrant ones! Many I have never planted before. Several call for well drained soil. In the past, I've just put a few fresh bags of topsoil in my flower beds and have not have many issues. What combination of dirt and drainage products to you mix for well drained soil? If it helps, I live in Wisconsin. Thanks in advance!

What is well drained soil?
Well drained soil provides a medium for plants to grow in where their roots are not constantly sitting in water. Few garden plants can stand being waterlogged and require the water to drain away from their feet. If your drainage is poor you can greatly improve it with the addition of organic material, peatmoss, and clean sand. Mix this stuff in occasionally in the late fall or early spring. Dig it in and each year you will see an improvement in the texture and quality of your garden soil. Add compost and use mulches to really give your vegetables and other plants a boost, as well as keeping their roots cool in the heat of the summer and reducing the amount of evaporation that takes place near the surface of the soil. Retaining surface moisture will improve your crops, however not if they are standing in a pool of water unless you're are growing reeds and cattails and the like. Wisconsin should have some pretty good soil and you may be able to grow your garden with little addition to your soil besides regular feedings of organic matter. With enough manure from the local farm you can grow organic vegetables , fruit, berries, nuts and grains that are superior to anything you can buy from the grocery store. Learn to grow a garden, learn to feed yourself and feed the world.
Reply:Water won't stand on it.
Reply:Just mix in some builders sand and small gravel to the top soil. This will ensure what you put down is well drained, however, you need to be sure the ground underneath the top soil is also draining as much as possible. Use a fork to just open up the soil a little.
Reply:Well drained soil will not allow water to settle on it. Soil over here in Lincolnshire has very high clay content, this is broken down with the use of a non peat based compost. use of small shingle stones throughout the layers of soil will undoubtedly produce the well drained effect you are after.

Hope this helps