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Unsightly clay!
Tizzie44
Posts: 22
Hi there,
I have a fairly heavy clay soil. Plants seem to be doing ok but I would like to put some compost down, really to make the beds look a bit more attractive as some of the soil is very ’clumpy’.
When do you think is the best time to do this? Would like to do it as soon as possible..before all the perenials start taking off but I guess the soil should warm up a bit? Any advice very welcome.
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Do it now. Anytime is ok, the sooner the better. The worms will soon get to work.
Thank you. Will get cracking as soon as the rain stops!
What sort of compost are you planning on using?
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
We live in a semi detached house & have recently paved our drive. We put a new 4ft fence which we share with our neighbours. He has now planted beech hedging alongside & says he will let it grow to about 7ft in height for privacy. We are concerned as we feel the roots may cause damage to our drains, paving & house foundations as the hedge is only 2ft away.
We live in a semi detached house & have recently paved our drive.We put a new 4ft fence which we share with our neighbours. He has now planted beech hedging alongside & says he will let it grow to about 7ft in height for privacy. We are concerned as we feel it is too close to our fence & the roots may damage our drains, paving & house foundations as it is only 2 ft away. Would appreciate any advice on this matter. Thank you.
just an all purpose compost, quite a big area so nothing horrendously expensive. Was just going to get it from the local nursery. Won’t this be any good then?
I'd spend a little more and buy either well rotted farmyard manure or soil conditioner ... both of those will help to improve your soil ... general multi-purpose compost will break down into dust quite quickly and not do as much to improve the soil as the others.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Sometimes, after a bit of rain, you will find the clay is soft and workable. This is the time to break up the clumps. I use a slater' s hammer or a trowel and sometimes my hands and thick gloves. Some people tread on it to break it up. Obviously you can't do this if it's very wet or very dry.
The window of opportunity is often very short so you have to seize the day!
Thank you all for your help...will try to get my other half to seize the day..sounds like quite hard going! Sure he will be better at this than me..my story anyway!!
I am a tiny woman and amongst other things dug out 9 borders and planted an orchard in heavy clay and hardcore all on my own last year, your size and sex means nothing. The tools you use however does. Get yourself a Burgon and Ball Ladies Groundbreaker Spade and it will slice through that clay like butter.