Clay in soil, help???

[katieb73]

Hi there, just wandering what i can do to improve soil when its so full of clay. makes digging and weeding a real trial!! TIA x

[amonty1144]

Lots of organic matter, well rotted manure or leaf mould, it will evbentually improve the texture.

[buildersmate]

Above, plus sharp sand helps

[Plocket]

I was just about to say, add plenty of organic matter and sharp sand (not builders sand).

You might also want to consider whether it's worth the effort to change nature, or whether you could plant things that don't mind clay, even in just a part of your garden.

[Clanad]

Additionally, most heavily clay soils are acidic on the pH scale. While you're adding plenty of the organic matter and sand add about 10 to 12 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard to help the pH value as well as assist in water dispersion in the clay...

[whiffey]

I am on very heavy South London clay, but over the years I have improved it, I hope. I don't formally dig it over. Each year when planting out bedding I make quite a large hole for each plant with a trowel and fill it with high quality multi-purpose compost. Thus each plant is in its own mini-environment. Over the years the topsoil has become less clayey, to the extent that the flower borders are now about 6 inches higher than the lawn.

This year I've tried Miracle-Gro for the first time and it really seems to have made a difference.

I even managed by digging in several hundred litres of ericaceous into one particular corner to plant 2 rhododendrons which have been successful for 3 years so far.

For weeding, just rough around the weeds' roots with a long-handled hoe.

[hippyhoppy]

We had heavy clay and in the end we just dug it out and skipped the lot. It took weeks and expensive due to skippage and replacement with top soil. However, things now grow instead to drowning.

[katieb73]

Thanks for that folks, its for a chap that i garden for once a week, i'll pass on all your advice. x

[Dolly1308]

Use Gypsum ,Katie ,it breaks up the soil.Dig it in well.