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Planting on Clay Soil

Danny40Danny40 Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hi all, I am relatively new to gardening and think I may have made a bit of an error with planting holes which may cause an issue in the Winter. I currently have 6 inches of topsoil but have had to dig multiple holes to plant my plants which were filled using well rotted horse manure and compost, but I have been reading online that these can become sumps in the winter due water draining from the surrounding clay.

Can anyone please advise if this is likely to be an issue, and if so, what I can do to rectify, preferably without having to remove all the plants. My garden is higher than the neighbours gardens if that helps.

I really can't bare the thought of all the plants dying in the winter.


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  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited May 2023
    If your garden is higher than your neighbours, the water will probably drain off. Is the clay surrounding your holes really compacted or have you turned it over?
    PS good luck with the footballs😉
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Is the 6 inches of topsoil brought in/added on top of the clay, or is it your natural clay topsoil that you've made the planting holes in? If it's added and the planting holes aren't down into the clay underneath they shouldn't form individual sumps.
    If you didn't notice any waterlogging before you did the planting it's probably draining OK 🤞 but any time you move or replant anything in future (which you will now that you're a gardener - some things will outgrow their spaces, others might do less well, you might want to find room for something new or rearrange what you have or widen the border) it's a good idea to work the organic matter into the soil and plant into that, rather than just filling the holes.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Danny40Danny40 Posts: 9
    B3 said:
    If your garden is higher than your neighbours, the water will probably drain off. Is the clay surrounding your holes really compacted or have you turned it over?
    PS good luck with the footballs😉
    Thanks, my garden is higher but I presume I need to slope the border towards the neighbours garden?
  • Danny40Danny40 Posts: 9
    JennyJ said:
    Is the 6 inches of topsoil brought in/added on top of the clay, or is it your natural clay topsoil that you've made the planting holes in? If it's added and the planting holes aren't down into the clay underneath they shouldn't form individual sumps.
    If you didn't notice any waterlogging before you did the planting it's probably draining OK 🤞 but any time you move or replant anything in future (which you will now that you're a gardener - some things will outgrow their spaces, others might do less well, you might want to find room for something new or rearrange what you have or widen the border) it's a good idea to work the organic matter into the soil and plant into that, rather than just filling the holes.
    Thank you for you reply. The planting holes do extend deeper then the clay which is my worry. I have spaced the plants with the eventual spread in mind and have covered gaps with annuals.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited May 2023
    Water will find it's level as long as the soil is reasonably permeable - no need to make your border sloping. You could do a test by pouring on a bucket or two of water and seeing how quickly it soaks in. Better still if there's a space dig a test pit down to the 6" level that you mentioned and pour water in there to see if it fills up the hole and stays there or drains through.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Danny40Danny40 Posts: 9
    JennyJ said:
    Water will find it's level as long as the soil is reasonably permeable - no need to make your border sloping. You could do a test by pouring on a bucket or two of water and seeing how quickly it soaks in. Better still if there's a space dig a test pit down to the 6" level that you mentioned and pour water in there to see if it fills up the hole and stays there or drains through.
    Hi Jenny, the problem is the soil is Clay soil which is not permeable so I am worried water will gather in the planting holes and rot the plants.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Clay soil is permeable so long as it's not compacted.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    How long have you been there @dannyaboodyGhdW2_g5 ? If you've seen it in wet conditions did you see water puddling on the surface? We had quite a wet March and decent amount of rain in April here which would have shown up any drainage issues, but but maybe it was drier where you are. Maybe try the test that I suggested and see what happens. If you do have a problem with drainage, I don't think there's anything you can do about it other than lifting the plants and digging/breaking up and improving the clay.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Clay is the best growing medium for most plants, but it needs amending, with loads of organic matter, especially if you're in a consistently wet part of the country, or a very dry one.
    It also depends on the plants you're growing. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Danny40Danny40 Posts: 9
    JennyJ said:
    How long have you been there @dannyaboodyGhdW2_g5 ? If you've seen it in wet conditions did you see water puddling on the surface? We had quite a wet March and decent amount of rain in April here which would have shown up any drainage issues, but but maybe it was drier where you are. Maybe try the test that I suggested and see what happens. If you do have a problem with drainage, I don't think there's anything you can do about it other than lifting the plants and digging/breaking up and improving the clay.
    We had the garden re turfed last October but in hindsight should have mixed in grit or organic material at the time.

    During the winter there was no puddling but the grass and soil was spongy which could also be from the new 6 inches of topsoil and the new turf that didn't settle from when installed.
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