Think I will redig around all the plants and backfill with the native clay soil and top dress with compost and manure. Hope that is the correct form of action.
Not really. As you can't prep the soil in advance of the planting, you just have to work with what you have, and having the manure and compost mix down below, and around, the plants is the ideal. However, unless you remove all the plants, mix all of the components together and replant [which would be the best method if you want planting in now, but isn't really feasible] you'd still have the heavier clay soil around the plants. If you just want to dig round the plants [not too sure exactly what you mean by that] it would be better to mix the manure/compost with some of the soil and then backfill with that. Any remaining clay can stay on the surface, and in autumn you can then add more of the manure/compost etc, which will all work down through the soil over winter. Regular additions will help to keep a good mix and encourage better drainage, while retaining moisture for summer, and through drier spells. They don't have to be particularly thick either - it's an ongoing process. If you can start a compost heap/bin, the home made stuff is an excellent addition.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Not really. As you can't prep the soil in advance of the planting, you just have to work with what you have, and having the manure and compost mix down below, and around, the plants is the ideal. However, unless you remove all the plants, mix all of the components together and replant [which would be the best method if you want planting in now, but isn't really feasible] you'd still have the heavier clay soil around the plants. If you just want to dig round the plants [not too sure exactly what you mean by that] it would be better to mix the manure/compost with some of the soil and then backfill with that. Any remaining clay can stay on the surface, and in autumn you can then add more of the manure/compost etc, which will all work down through the soil over winter. Regular additions will help to keep a good mix and encourage better drainage, while retaining moisture for summer, and through drier spells. They don't have to be particularly thick either - it's an ongoing process. If you can start a compost heap/bin, the home made stuff is an excellent addition.
Thank you @Fairygirl. I meant I would remove the amended compost and manure only soil around the existing plants and backfill with the original clay soil instead and cover on top with the compost and manure. Hopefully that will avoid the planting holes becoming a sump in the winter. Does that sound okay?
I would leave it be. The roots will be in the top 6 inches of soil anyway, which you say is topsoil. The ground is elevated above the neighbour's garden so the underlying clay will eventually drain. And worm action will incorporate the manure into the clay in any case.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
If there is a problem with drainage it's likely to be the soil below the plants that would need breaking up and improving. As I said earlier, I wouldn't do anything unless you are sure that there is actually a problem. As others have said, the clay soil might be draining OK. Even then, you could wait until autumn when the bedding plants are over and it's only the permanent planting that you'd have to lift while you worked on the soil (do a section at a time, if you find that it really needs it).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I would leave it be. The roots will be in the top 6 inches of soil anyway, which you say is topsoil. The ground is elevated above the neighbour's garden so the underlying clay will eventually drain. And worm action will incorporate the manure into the clay in any case.
Some of the bigger plants are below the level of the topsoil
I really think you are over-thinking this. Clay is a really good growing medium. Some plants, like roses - and there are many more, prefer it. Relax, enjoy your garden and see what happens in the autumn. Nothing is going to flood in the summer if it's anything like last year.
I would leave it be. The roots will be in the top 6 inches of soil anyway, which you say is topsoil. The ground is elevated above the neighbour's garden so the underlying clay will eventually drain. And worm action will incorporate the manure into the clay in any case.
Some of the bigger plants are below the level of the topsoil
I would still not worry about it. At the very least, defer any action until autumn, which is a more sensible time to digging borders and moving plants.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
This is where location really matters. I'd rather move plants now than in autumn, and not everywhere had droughts last year. Torrential rain on baked hard clay can easily cause flooding too. I don't know where the OP lives either, because none of us have asked.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
This is where location really matters. I'd rather move plants now than in autumn, and not everywhere had droughts last year. Torrential rain on baked hard clay can easily cause flooding too. I don't know where the OP lives either, because none of us have asked.
Thank you. I live in London btw.
I have already started removing the amended soil today on many plants and filling with clay with a slight mix and top dressing of manure.
The clay had dried from being left in the open so was in stone like in texture and I had to crumble then when filling. Hard work
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However, unless you remove all the plants, mix all of the components together and replant [which would be the best method if you want planting in now, but isn't really feasible] you'd still have the heavier clay soil around the plants.
If you just want to dig round the plants [not too sure exactly what you mean by that] it would be better to mix the manure/compost with some of the soil and then backfill with that. Any remaining clay can stay on the surface, and in autumn you can then add more of the manure/compost etc, which will all work down through the soil over winter.
Regular additions will help to keep a good mix and encourage better drainage, while retaining moisture for summer, and through drier spells. They don't have to be particularly thick either - it's an ongoing process.
If you can start a compost heap/bin, the home made stuff is an excellent addition.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I don't know where the OP lives either, because none of us have asked.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have already started removing the amended soil today on many plants and filling with clay with a slight mix and top dressing of manure.
The clay had dried from being left in the open so was in stone like in texture and I had to crumble then when filling. Hard work