@GardenerSuze, any garden round here which isn't cultivated/amended in any way, or has no planting in it, looks like that at this time of year. Once clay is amended, it'll still be soaking wet, but it won't be so compacted, and therefore won't tend to have water just sitting on top, unless there's a pan further down. Otherwise, it's just the gardens which haven't got any major planting, or have big gaps between shrubs/plants that have that pooling, due to the clay soil and the amount of rain. I passed umpteen sites today which are like that. I often do raised beds as it's a good way of planting up bare plots quickly, especially with heavy, compacted clay. I've never added grit - it just isn't necessary. The ones here had some turf in the bottom [from the areas I cleared for planting up] and then just a mix of any old cheap compost, and the odd bit of soil. The plants had compost added on planting, and I add old stuff each year as necessary. The sites with turf stripped off had a thick layer of good manure laid on top over autumn/winter, and were planted up the following year. Mostly shrubs, but also bulbs and other perennials. The soil there is in good condition now, 10 years on, with spent compost ,or from the bins, added each year.
Re how wet soil is, November was slightly drier here than last year, but we get a broad mix of weather through Nov and Dec anyway, and Dec has been wet so it all evens out. If it's not wet and windy, it's frosty and icy. Snow and sleet are regularly mixed in as well, especially through Dec. I think we've had everything in the last week or two apart from thunder and lightning. We even got a little bit of sun - which was very welcome.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@McRazz Thankyou, your thoughts are very welcome. I have been concerned but I am obviously doing the right things. Every gardener understands that when things 'ain't right in the garden' it goes round in your mind until you are able to make comparisons with other gardeners. A soil that can cope with winter wet and not need alot watering in summer is what I want to achieve in time, as do you. Because I have dug so far down alot of the manure, soil conditioner and light top soil found it's way down deeply into the ground. I was reading a comment by Dan Pearson, it had taken him 5 years to turn yellow clay into good garden soil, so away to go yet.
@robairdmacraignil I envy the fact that you have access to so much organic material, I have often read your posts, sounds like a beautiful place too live. Sadly no room for a compost heap in my new bulid garden. I had compost heaps in my old garden and large trees nearby, which as you say play a huge part in draining soil. In spring I will be planting shrubs but the other side of the fence is another drive so there will be limitations. It's good to have a project!
@Obelixx I think we forget the other side of the problem. For some gardeners like you this rain has been welcome. At least there are some positives.
@Fire I wasn't aware that this kind of information was available to the public but I understand now that it is essential.
@Fairygirl Thankyou your thoughts are reasurring. The area that has been dug deeply right through the pan is draining but it is difficult to see progress due to the heavy rain. You have mentioned raised beds to me in the past, something I just didn't seem to have the right space for in my old garden. Now I have these for some exciting plants I hope. I think best idea is to carry on with as much organic stuff as I can get on to the garden. That includes the raised beds. Some of the plants I have are Mediterranean in origin seems along way off and might not work. All from my old garden so will see.
We all learn our gardening lessons as we go, I didn't work the soil in my old garden as well as I should have done. It was a very difficult site, thick red clay inches down in parts that would not break wet or dry. Long term plants with fiberous roots objected and may did not survive. With those that did watering during summer was often a chore. Lesson learnt I hope.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Fire As I was writing about the lack of space for a compost bin my thoughts were I really need to think of something! It really is a tight squeeze after my last garden but I want to garden for as long as I can so a smaller garden was the was to go. Compost bin, watch this space there must be somewhere......
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I have written on the forum many times about using regular black rubbish bins for making compost. I have found them to be just as good as any other small compost bins. I would go for one with lid clips to guard against foxes, vermin etc. When emptying, check the base for chewing marks if rodents are a problem in your area. Burn or cut good sized drainage holes in the base.
The bins have the advantage of being light and low enough for turning and inspecting the contents easily. The handles mean you can carry/move the bin easily. Easy to clean, and cheap. I have three such bins and turn the contents from one to another once a year, which seems enough to aerate the load and regulate levels. They team with life (worms, beetles, cleaner bugs, milipedes etc) and so full of their poo which enriches everything. It's possible to collect the leachate if desired. They do have small capacity, but they might be fine for a small garden. I don't added woody material. Adding handfuls of woodchip easch week helps things along.
The bins can easily be hidden behind wicker hurdles or such, if needed. There are other compost bin options, including a mini Hotbin, but rubbish bins are probably the easiest and cheapest if short of space (like me).
@Fire Previously I had two of the 'dalek' bins on hard standing. Plenty of rodents but this worked. I do have a wheelbarrow behind the garage if I can find a new home for that I can take a look at your suggestions. At present there is little to compost from the garden just a few leaves from the plants in my nursery beds. Thankyou for your help.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Having re read one of your posts about raised beds @GardenerSuze , I wonder if you'll find the soil mix too heavy in them if you want Med. type plants in them. I only use soil alone if I'm growing something that likes consistent moisture. For example, I separated one of my beds so that I could have a Ligularia alongside plants which needed much sharper drainage. I don't really have any borderline hardy planting though, which always helps too. Anything half hardy is usually grown in containers.
My beds aren't all uniform in size and shape though, but you may find adding some cheapo compost etc is worthwhile to ensure the drainage is good enough for winter, especially if they're all deciduous, or you have bulbs in with them. I expect you'll need to experiment a good bit too
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl Thankyou Iv'e added some thoughts to my thread on Garden Design Gardener Suze's OAP garden. Thought it might be easier Thank you if you are able to have a read at some point. Suze
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Well, now I have a pond outside my front door. It's the first time I have seen that in going-on-12 years. The soil is so saturated and the rain is so continuous that it is not draining. This is despite the house being on a slopes that run west to east and north to south.
It's interesting to see the water collect on my soil. Most people on the street have paving. Such a lot of water must be rushing straight off. Luckily the rain is due to stop tonight. For a while
Absolutely sopping now. It's so wet the polytunnel soil is wet just by absorption and osmosis from the soil outside, not cos of leaks. We also have a puddle outside the polytunnel and at the gate to the veg plot and everything else is wonderfully squelchy.
Supposed to be dry this weekend and then freeze from Monday. That's going to be interesting after being in the low teens for some time.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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I often do raised beds as it's a good way of planting up bare plots quickly, especially with heavy, compacted clay. I've never added grit - it just isn't necessary. The ones here had some turf in the bottom [from the areas I cleared for planting up] and then just a mix of any old cheap compost, and the odd bit of soil. The plants had compost added on planting, and I add old stuff each year as necessary. The sites with turf stripped off had a thick layer of good manure laid on top over autumn/winter, and were planted up the following year. Mostly shrubs, but also bulbs and other perennials. The soil there is in good condition now, 10 years on, with spent compost ,or from the bins, added each year.
Re how wet soil is, November was slightly drier here than last year, but we get a broad mix of weather through Nov and Dec anyway, and Dec has been wet so it all evens out. If it's not wet and windy, it's frosty and icy. Snow and sleet are regularly mixed in as well, especially through Dec. I think we've had everything in the last week or two apart from thunder and lightning. We even got a little bit of sun - which was very welcome.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I was reading a comment by Dan Pearson, it had taken him 5 years to turn yellow clay into good garden soil, so away to go yet.
@robairdmacraignil I envy the fact that you have access to so much organic material, I have often read your posts, sounds like a beautiful place too live. Sadly no room for a compost heap in my new bulid garden. I had compost heaps in my old garden and large trees nearby, which as you say play a huge part in draining soil.
In spring I will be planting shrubs but the other side of the fence is another drive so there will be limitations. It's good to have a project!
@Obelixx I think we forget the other side of the problem. For some gardeners like you this rain has been welcome. At least there are some positives.
@Fire I wasn't aware that this kind of information was available to the public but I understand now that it is essential.
@Fairygirl Thankyou your thoughts are reasurring. The area that has been dug deeply right through the pan is draining but it is difficult to see progress due to the heavy rain.
You have mentioned raised beds to me in the past, something I just didn't seem to have the right space for in my old garden. Now I have these for some exciting plants I hope.
I think best idea is to carry on with as much organic stuff as I can get on to the garden.
That includes the raised beds. Some of the plants I have are Mediterranean in origin seems along way off and might not work. All from my old garden so will see.
We all learn our gardening lessons as we go, I didn't work the soil in my old garden as well as I should have done. It was a very difficult site, thick red clay inches down in parts that would not break wet or dry. Long term plants with fiberous roots objected and may did not survive. With those that did watering during summer was often a chore. Lesson learnt I hope.
I hope you have room for two compost dustbins or alike.
Compost bin, watch this space there must be somewhere......
At present there is little to compost from the garden just a few leaves from the plants in my nursery beds. Thankyou for your help.
My beds aren't all uniform in size and shape though, but you may find adding some cheapo compost etc is worthwhile to ensure the drainage is good enough for winter, especially if they're all deciduous, or you have bulbs in with them. I expect you'll need to experiment a good bit too
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Supposed to be dry this weekend and then freeze from Monday. That's going to be interesting after being in the low teens for some time.