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London Clay

LieLie Posts: 39
in Problem solving

Hi there,

Young new garden enthusiast trying to make the most of my small 30feet x 12feet plot. Previously had lots of pots and lawn but now would like to dig borders and start a modest cottage garden. I have four trained fruit trees started this and last summer and they are all in heightened borders where i took out as much soil and clay as i could...and replaced with compost and manure.

I have heavy soil about a feet deep and then clay. Grass / Lawn grows reasonably well but not fantastic. For my borders shall i just:
- mix in compost and manure to improve soil quality
- dig out soil and replace by compost and manure
- dig out as much clay as i can as well and replace with compost and manure
- just live with what i got and grow cottage plants that will be happy with what i got anyway?(in this case what plants to you suggest)

First post...really interested in all your feedbackimage
Many thanks!

Posts

  • Villaverde123Villaverde123 Posts: 196

    I have the same. Clay is high in nutrients.  I mix and mulch with compost, well rotted manure and grit and sand.  Its coming on nicely.  I also use a grit base as drainage for most plants and put some compost in the mix when re-filling planting hole.

    If you decide to dig it out - where will you put it? 

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,480
    Clay can be very fertile. I suggest that you try to improve what you have with organic matter. I have found with London clay that you can even improve the yellow stuff if you add compost. Dig it into the top few inches and let the worms and frost do the rest
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,480
    Also ,it's easier to work the soil after a bit of rain. If it's rock hard ,leave it for another day.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LieLie Posts: 39

    Wow...thx Villaverde123, B3 and Tetley...very valuable feedback. Will keep what I have and improve it as you all mentioned. Thanks for the compliment Teltey...and yes rain does help B3...noticed that. Just unworkable otherwise.

    With my fruit trees...i did dig out some and brought to the tip...but so heavy. maybe I didn't even do my trees a favor...anyway it is what it is.

    I hope plants like Lupins which i researched have a single root will penetrate it but definitely worth a go this way. Like Lupins because they gave me lots of seeds which means growing lots of new plantsimage

    Thanks again! goodnightimage

    Lie

     

     

  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,846

    I know that this won't help you as you have a small garden to work with but many years ago I saw a short piece on a television programme about a chap who moved into a house where the soil was heavy clay but he turned it into deep rich loam where he could grow virtually anything, he did it by composting on a massive scale, he had wire composters 6 or 7ft tall full with rich homemade compost, it had taken him over 10 years to achieve but the effort paid dividends, I have to say that short 5 minute clip gave me inspiration, something that I saw probably 30 years ago and have never forgotten. Anyhow moving on to your problem have you thought of permiculture? it's not something that I have much knowledge of but I saw something the other day where a chap said that by growing deep rooted plants next to vegetables the roots of the deep rooters broke the soil up and let air into the soil improving growing conditions, it's maybe something you could  take a look at.

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,480
    I've gardened on London clay for more years than I care to remember. You can have soil that will grow clay loving/ tolerating plants perfectly well if you add some compost. To make it more manageable, concentrate any soil improvements around particular plants you want to grow. Any patches that you haven't got round to can be planted up with things that don't need rich soil like euphorbia, hardy geraniums, Californian poppies etc etc. Over time, you will gradually improve more and more of the soil. There are opposing views about grit. I find it works well in conjunction with compost. Make your own compost. Don't throw stuff out unless it's diseased or a pernicious weed.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LieLie Posts: 39
    Thanks Barry & B3. Much appreciated. Going to make a start this morning on it;)
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,480
    Ground looks soft enough. Have a productive day!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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