Have Any Of You Had To Deal With Heavy Clay Soil In Your Gardens?

[ladybirder]

If so I'd love to hear what you did about it. I've been looking at things like Ground Breaker which seems to be available only in Oz, more's the pity. Clay Breaker is one that is on sale in this country, which looks easier as you water it in. Has anyone used it? I'd like to know if it's any good before I buy it. I've bought top soil, sand, grit and manure ready to mix in once the clay is broken up a bit.
Any advice welcome.

[rockyracoon]

We've got quite heavy clay soil here, I've never used any product to break it up but after I'd grown potatoes in it, it seemed to have broken down really well.

[gness]

LB...my soil is such heavy clay I have had to hire a young lad to help with the digging.

I dug in bags and bags of soil improver which...although it stinks to high heaven has been really good.

I am now using grit, sand and top soil.

Last year my daughter, with the same problem, planted Green Manure. It grew over the winter and she has now cut it down and dug in the roots. I haven't yet seen the soil but she rates it.

I haven't tried Clay Breaker but if you do will you let me know how you get on please?....I have one patch to conquer.....x

[woofgang]

clay breaker I didn't find helpful. For 10 years in a row we got the flowerbeds mulched with fresh wood chippings in the autumn. The stuff breaks down over the year and opens up the soil. The soil is now beautiful. Before, you could dig out clay that you could use to make clay models with. I live near an area that used to have commercial claypits.

[hammerman]

It will take time, believe me. Clay soil is one of the nicest soils you can have if you can get it workable.

Throw as much stuff at it as you can.....garden compost, spent potting compost, sand and grit, leafmould, kitchen waste, mushroom compost etc etc Dig it rough over winter leaving big clods for the elements to break down then add more compost, grit and organic stuff....year on year.

it really is the only way. My parents had very heavy clay and within 5 years, i'd got their soil fantastically workable. Luckily, im on beautiful chalky loam :-)

[ladybirder]

Thank you for your replies, most welcome.

"clay breaker I didn't find helpful" well that's the easy route out then woofy. ***. And I might not have 10 years left but I shall probably wood chip it anyway. It's good to know you've conquered it. I've never had soil like this before, it's awful and under the clay is sticky chalk.
I wondered about the potato route rocky but I suppose I would lose a season that way unless I planted them between other plants in the border. I'll have a think about it and I might just do that as there's nothing in it at the moment other than one plum and one cherry tree although I do have quite a few waiting to go in. It's not too late to put some spuds in now is it?
Gness I have been trying to get a young lad to dig for me but no luck so far. Ten years ago, probably even five years ago I could have done it myself but not now. Never heard of Green Manure, I'll google it. Is it easier than shovelling sh*t?

[gness]

Oooo the sh*t shovelling, LB...soul destroying....

The lad is not the deepest digger but he does break up the clods somewhat and I usually end up going over it.

The Green Manure comes in the form of Field Beans....you sow them over winter....chop them and dig in the roots....

It says on the packet I didn't get round to planting....An extremely hardy nitrogen fixer for use over winter leaving heavy soil beautifully friable in the spring.......wish I'd planted mine now.....☺

[ladybirder]

"Clay soil is one of the nicest soils you can have if you can get it workable". How nice to hear you say that Hammerman. I know it's full of nutrients. You don't live near Hove do you, I could do with your magic on my soil?
I've just read about the Green manure gness. I don't think I can wait another winter, I want a beautiful garden now. The hard landscaping is just finished and I need to 'dress' it. I might go the potato route amongst the planting and continue to chuck sand, grit, manure, compost, chicken manure pellets et al on it while searching for a young maaaan to dig it all in. I hope the dogs don't eat the manure as quickly as I put it down!
You've all been a great help, thank you.

[hammerman]

How ironic ladybirder...i live in Lewes and i look after the rock garden opposite Preston Park in Brighton if you ever want to come for a look around

[ladybirder]

Well I never, fancy that. You will certainly understand the soil then. I shall 'alert' you when I'm over that way. Thank you.

[rowanwitch]

grow potatoes ....don't walk on it too late this year but dig it over next Autumn.. let a winters frost get to it then break down the clods before adding the soil improvers... grit and a fibrous compost as much as you can afford. Failing that grow roses they seem to love heavy clay or at least mine did when I lived in Essex

[chattykathy]

Forgive my ignorance but how does anyone dig their borders year after year, chucking stuff in etc, if you have planted shrubs, perennials etc?

[ladybirder]

Thanks Rowan. I put a few Earlies in a few days ago and will do some more over the next few days. Lots of lovely manure gone in plus grit, sand and compost. Trouble is the wretched dog keeps running up that border many times a day sniffing his way from one end to the other. The bird feeder is at the top and he leaps up and down knocking nuts out of the peanut feeder onto the ground and eating them. Don't think nuts are good for dogs either so I'll move it higher up the pole.
Kathy I'll let you know LOL. I'll have to work round them I guess going as close as I can without disturbing the roots. Has to be done as it's practically unworkable at present and looks awful.

[beso]

If the clay is the right type then add gypsum.

First do the test described here:
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s131432.htm

[ladybirder]

Thanks beso, I had thought about natural gypsum then forgot about it again. I did see some in Wickes but it was builders Gypsum and I knew that was no good. I'll do a test if I've got any rainwater left and if soil test says Yes, I'll try and find the natural sort. My soil does just kind of go into a lump though so not optimistic, but we'll see. Thanks again.

[ladybirder]

Beso I did the test and I'm afraid my soil failed. Looks like I'll have to do it the hard way.