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Clay soil :-(

michellebatchelor.fitchmichellebatchelor.fitch Posts: 1
in Problem solving

Hello all.. 

Like many I have clay soil in my garden, my plants are really struggling despite feeding them.

I've chosen plants I know how to care for and attract a variety of insects but I would really appreciate some sworn by tips/suggestions on how to improve the clay soil and therefore helping my plants.

Many thank :-)

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    Try to dig in plenty of grit. That may be difficult if you have got lots of plants in. Adding a proprietary clay breaker would help too but wouldn't suit any lime hating plants you may have.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Plenty of well rotted manure, grit and compost dug in will make all the difference. You can buy bagged manure at GCs. It's the best soil of all to grow in as it's already very fertile, so you don't need a lot of additional food. 

    Right plant, right place too - make sure what you're planting is suitable for the conditions you have and your climate and aspect. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511

    I'm a great believer in mulching.  I have clay soil and a good supply of FYM.  It saves on the digging as the worms do the work. Also don't try to grow plants that need well drained soil. 

    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543

    I moved into a new build house with clay soil in 2002.

    The back garden looked like this:-

    image

    Over the next 13 years I dug in compost,grit,added topsoil etc. Plants have come and gone as has some of the hard landscaping.Everything has been done on a tight budget.

    You just need to stick at it.I know I have great difficulty growing annuals directly in the ground so I use tubs.Shrubs seem to best of all.

    This was my garden last year:-

    image

    Last edited: 25 May 2016 13:34:20

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    FG I have a very old book called exactly that. Right plant, right place by Nicola Ferguson. It's one of the most useful books I bought as a beginner and I still refer to it regularly. 

    That's the secret.

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