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How to improve clay soil?

barry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYbbarry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYb Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I have an area of my garden I am looking to renovate, it currently has heavy clay, with very little top soil. I've got a tonne bag of compost and top soil to mix with it before I plant (would also appreciate advice whether to plant now or keep in pots till spring), but what else should I be doing?

I've seen suggestion of mulch, seaweed, bio char etc... But really am not sure whether I should do any of these extras?

Just getting in to gardening so any advice appreciated. Last thing I want is underwhelming growth next spring.

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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @barry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYb - the good news is that clay is an excellent growing medium  :)
    If the area is empty just now, the addition of any organic matter on it will benefit it enormously. Well rotted manure is the best, or even fresh stuff if you don't need to use the area until spring. Compost , leaf mould etc, all just laid on top will work down over winter, and in spring you can dig it over and plant.
    If you add compost every so often, it will all help.  :)

    If the plants you have are small, it's better to wait until spring anyway for planting. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    The irony of Clay soil is that although it is naturally fertile & often damp it is always vastly improved by adding as much organic matter as possible, but not necessarily manure, too much can make it even stickier.  Garden compost, seaweed, even hay or straw,  would be ideal put it on at least 5 cms thick all over & leave it till spring. The worms & other organisms will do the work for you.
    AB Still learning

  • barry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYbbarry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYb Posts: 3
    Fairygirl said:
    Hi @barry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYb - the good news is that clay is an excellent growing medium  :)
    If the area is empty just now, the addition of any organic matter on it will benefit it enormously. Well rotted manure is the best, or even fresh stuff if you don't need to use the area until spring. Compost , leaf mould etc, all just laid on top will work down over winter, and in spring you can dig it over and plant.
    If you add compost every so often, it will all help.  :)

    If the plants you have are small, it's better to wait until spring anyway for planting. 

    Thanks exactly the type of advice I was after. The plants are not well established so I guess I shouldn't plant.

    Can I just keep them on the patio until we start getting frosts? Will have to think about where I can store them over winter to keep them alive.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    What plants do you have? If they're hardy types, a sheltered spot outdoors, such as near the house wall, will most likely be all the protection they need (also depends somewhat on what your local climate is like).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • barry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYbbarry.gibson.ukQjXIEYYb Posts: 3
    I'm in Essex so milder than a lot of the UK. I've got a mixture of plugs and 9cm pots all in bigger pots now... Things like...
    Crocosmia, salvia nemorosa, agapanthus, verbena and delphiniums
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If they're small plants just keep them sheltered over winter as @JennyJ says.
    Some agapanthus are less hardy than others, so they might need more protection. Some salvias are the same, but I think you'll be fine with your location. It's wet cold they don't like.  :)
    The other plants you list are all fine against a house wall or similar.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Best to keep the delphiniums somewhere out of slugs' reach or you'll never see them in spring!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Indeed @Buttercupdays. The main reason I stopped growing them. Pointless here  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I have very heavy clay and find it gets workable more quickly if you dig over and dig in the organic matter at the start. After some decent rain but before it gets soggy and claggy. Laying it on the top didn’t work for me, there were no worms in it to do the work over winter and it just sat there. I also dug in large quantities of grit in addition to compost and bagged manure, to loosen it up and help drainage. As my soil is very alkaline, I then mulched heavily with acid (ericaceous) compost, which really helped suppress the weeds and, over time, helped to reduce the ph a bit, but you have to keep adding it as the ph reduction is only temporary.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=179
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
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