Verdun's replied on the other thread Vic, but things I don't put in the clay here are my herbs, heathers and rhododendrons, they like either more acidic and better drained soils. I've grown all very successfully in pots, the heathers and rhododendrons in ericaceous compost. Alpines are another that would probably be a waste of time planting directly in clay.
pH of the soil can be just as important though and I know some of the plants I've listed above will grow on acid clays. So if you know it is clay and you find out the pH it will make it easier to choose the right plants.
means it needs you to keep adding and adding some form of bulkier material to give it structure and lots of feed and watering in summer just about every year. Even then the plants may struggle. Clay on the other hand is already fertile, although it can be a b****r to dig. Most clay soils have 2 short periods when they can be very easy to dig, usually Spring and Autumn when they are neither too dry (summer) and like concrete, nor too wet (winter) when your wellies get sucked off your feet never to be seen again.
my last garden was literally 12" of builders sand. Plus side, you can always work on it , even in the rain. Downside, nutrients leach out big time and you end up a slave to the hosepipe all summer long.
I'm not on clay, plus side, watering isn't the issue it was and the goodness stays locked in. Downside,as has been pointed out by Ww, windows for digging are limited.
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Verdun's replied on the other thread Vic, but things I don't put in the clay here are my herbs, heathers and rhododendrons, they like either more acidic and better drained soils. I've grown all very successfully in pots, the heathers and rhododendrons in ericaceous compost. Alpines are another that would probably be a waste of time planting directly in clay.
pH of the soil can be just as important though and I know some of the plants I've listed above will grow on acid clays. So if you know it is clay and you find out the pH it will make it easier to choose the right plants.
means it needs you to keep adding and adding some form of bulkier material to give it structure and lots of feed and watering in summer just about every year. Even then the plants may struggle. Clay on the other hand is already fertile, although it can be a b****r to dig. Most clay soils have 2 short periods when they can be very easy to dig, usually Spring and Autumn when they are neither too dry (summer) and like concrete, nor too wet (winter) when your wellies get sucked off your feet never to be seen again.
"when your wellies get sucked off your feet never to be seen again." I live in hope of re-discovering several pairs of wellies at some point
my last garden was literally 12" of builders sand. Plus side, you can always work on it , even in the rain. Downside, nutrients leach out big time and you end up a slave to the hosepipe all summer long.
I'm not on clay, plus side, watering isn't the issue it was and the goodness stays locked in. Downside,as has been pointed out by Ww, windows for digging are limited.
On balance, I'm happier with the clay.
Edd, it was our last house. We were there for 8 years and I added so much organic matter I raised the soil level by over 8inches.
My neighbour told me where my house was built was the store yard when they were building and they just leveled it and built my house last.
Loads of manure, compost and grit mixed in will make clay the best medium you can have.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...