Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Clay soil under membrane

Kathy NewmanKathy Newman Posts: 2
in Problem solving

Hi - we have an area of our garden which has been under a black membrane for many years and was covered completely in weeds & nettles which had grown ontop of the membrane - these have now been completely cleared and we are down to just the membrane - though there are a few areas where it did not cover and is just soil.

We are looking at removing this and then planting.  The soil is quite heavy clay - can anyone recommend what is best to do to get the soil ready for planting (and how long this might take).

Thanks in Advance

Kathy

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,066

    How big an area is it?   Can you fork it over?   If so, try and source a large pile of well rotted compost - local council recycling? - or well rotted horse manure and lay it on thickly as soon as possible.  Fork it in lightly then leave it over winter for worms to work into the soil.

    Autumn is the best time for planting shrubs while they are dormant above ground and can then concentrate their energy on putting out new roots over the winter.   You can plant through the mulched layer it adding extra soil conditioner to planting holes and some coarse grit to improve drainage and a handful of bonemeal or microrhizal fungi to help with root development.  Both available form good garden centres.

    Water in and mulch with more soil conditioner.   Wait till spring to plant perennials but you can get some daffodils in now too.  Not tulips.  They don't like heavy clay.

    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)."
    Plato
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    start by taking the membrane of and digging over the areas you want to plant, they have probably been staved of oxygen under the membrane and will be biologically dead. plus digging over will break up the clay ready for some organic mater to be mixed in.

    To help fix the problem of very little biologics, mix in well rotted manure or home made compost rather than the bought stuff that has very little biologics, plus the manure should have worms in that will help break the soil up a bit.

  • Kathy NewmanKathy Newman Posts: 2

    Thanks for the advice everyone.

Sign In or Register to comment.