Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Very Heavy Clay Soil please Help

PotteringMadPotteringMad Posts: 94
in Problem solving
Hi iv created a new section in a very sunny spot in my garden on a slopping embankment. The whole section is heavy totally orange clay. Any compost and grit i add will be sitting on the clay and i dont think it would penetrate it - impossible to mix through. Any planting suggestions would be great

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @PotteringMad I would wait for some rain as nothing will grow in compacted soil. You need to get the soil right before you start any new garden project.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Looking at the picture the conifers? next to the area, did you remove one to get this area?
    With something so big and near it will suck any nutrients or water out before anything else has a chance. As for adding compost/ manure don't be tempted to dig a hole and add to planting, as it will cause the water to pool in the hole. You really do need to dig out the area at least twice the depth of the stones to be able to put any plants in it. If impossible I would suggest putting Lavender there as they are tough plants and might survive the conditions. 
  • PotteringMadPotteringMad Posts: 94
    purplerallim said:
    Looking at the picture the conifers? next to the area, did you remove one to get this area?
    With something so big and near it will suck any nutrients or water out before anything else has a chance. As for adding compost/ manure don't be tempted to dig a hole and add to planting, as it will cause the water to pool in the hole. You really do need to dig out the area at least twice the depth of the stones to be able to put any plants in it. If impossible I would suggest putting Lavender there as they are tough plants and might survive the conditions. 
    Hi there. No there was no conifer there before. The conifers are far too big - previous owners planted them. Id love to remove them but not a viable option.  Plan was to plant 3 box balls but had no idea the area was pure clay. Dont want to create a ‘basin surrounded by clay. iv been thinking the same thing re plants like lavender. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
  • PotteringMadPotteringMad Posts: 94
    GardenerSuze said:
    @PotteringMad I would wait for some rain as nothing will grow in compacted soil. You need to get the soil right before you start any new garden project.
    Yeah totally, its like builders rubble at thd moment
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    If you want anything to grow - and never lavender in very solid clay - you will have to improve the soil but it's a tiny space so only a problem if your health is too poor. Wait until the rain has come, then dig in as much organic muck as you can get hold of. Not soil 'conditioner', muck. Dig it down to 18 - 24 inches, breaking up lumps and mixing it all together into crumbly particles. Rough up the base so as not to create a pan below. Leave it for a few weeks to settle, then pile on another 4 inches of muck. Then you can plant. You will have to watch that your plants get enough water and nutrients because the space is small and the conifer close.
  • PotteringMadPotteringMad Posts: 94
    Posy said:
    If you want anything to grow - and never lavender in very solid clay - you will have to improve the soil but it's a tiny space so only a problem if your health is too poor. Wait until the rain has come, then dig in as much organic muck as you can get hold of. Not soil 'conditioner', muck. Dig it down to 18 - 24 inches, breaking up lumps and mixing it all together into crumbly particles. Rough up the base so as not to create a pan below. Leave it for a few weeks to settle, then pile on another 4 inches of muck. Then you can plant. You will have to watch that your plants get enough water and nutrients because the space is small and the conifer close.
    Hi there. Good advice 🙂, thank uou. Iv removed s lot of the clumps- 2 buckets full. Solid clay right through. Worst bit iv come across. Iv lavender in gritty doil jyst now. I might do s rockery here. Its small so very managable. 😁
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    My lavender is in heavy clay soil and is thriving,  but like the picture it is near large trees
Sign In or Register to comment.