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Well, here I am again with the old problem (no, not that one - the doctor gave me cream for that one). It happens at the same time each year and is becoming a burden, both to my back and my spirit. The thing is, I have heavy soil. Heavy, clay-like, cloying, glutinous soil. I could model things with it and fire them in a kiln. You get the picture. T'was not always this way, apparently. The soil around here is rich and fertile and would have made Percy Thrower weep with joy. But - and here's the rub - builders tore down the old piggery that was on the site of my cottage and I suspect, rather than remove the resulting destruction, they buried it. I regularly dig up chunks of stone that would not look out of place in Hadrian's wall. The resulting soil in my garden is not of good quality. Every year I look at it with distaste and a hint of dispair, shudder, square my shoulders and attack it with spade and fork. Several hours and one hernia later, I have something fit to grow in it for the year. I have added compost and manure over the past two years and it looks great for a while but then, as winter grips us, the Somme battlefield returns in time for spring.
This brings me, less than neatly, to my question: Am I doing the right thing by digging in bags of compost and well-rotted manure and do I keep doing it until I finally defeat the wreckage beneath? And, oh please let there be a gem of knowledge out there, can any of you fine folk think of anything else I can do to improve the quality of my soil? Thankyou in anticipation.
p.s. Is this what they mean by 'talking dirty'?
Corriepaw.
On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it - Jules Renard
How about buying a bulk bag of sharp sand about a ton from builders merchant approximately £40 speak to them nicely say they can deliver when they have a delivery near you and you may get free delivery,spread it on top and dig in.
Sharp sand, eh? Yes - I did wonder if sand would be an option. I'm a bit sand ignorant, though. Is 'sharp' sand any different from the stuff Lawrence of Arabia used to cavort around in?
Thanks Sooty, I'll give sand a go.
Hi Corriepaw
Oh now that rings a lot of bells here - oh memories!
Many moons ago I had a garden with heavy clinging clay soil just like you described to a tee. This soil would cling to the soles of your shoes and you would end up with platforms shoes like the platforms fashion from the 70's. Wearing Wellies did not help the issue. You would be better off with bare feet than wear any foot ware.
I dealt with the issue with back breaking enthiasism to get the better of the dreaded Clay Soil.
I managed to get lots of free bags of well rotted mature (note well rotted!!). Through time it had an effect on the soil and it became a lot more manageable.
Sharp sand did help too and it seemed to soak up the moisture in the clay soil.
What I found once you got on top of issues with lots of well rotted manure/sand the soil remained quite healthy and happy.
Can I ask what you are planning to grow out of interest?
Regards
Kathy and Dave
We have done the same on our clay soil Kathy. We did a great deal of heavy digging and even removed a lot of the clay, but we dug in loads of well rotted manure and also compost. Each Autumn we top up the soil with compost/ manure and leave the worms to do their work.
Hi Brenda
Yes, it is hard work that 'solid' mass of earth. not easy is it!
I forgot to mention about the compost too. We got compost worms and they did wonders for our compost.
The more earthworms the merrier too {wonder if there is a way to reproduce earthworms}
Unknown said: We have done the same on our clay soil Kathy. We did a great deal of heavy digging and even removed a lot of the clay, but we dug in loads of well rotted manure and also compost. Each Autumn we top up the soil with compost/ manure and leave the worms to do their work.
Blackbird and Brenda.
Many, many thanks for your contributions and advice. Delighted that I now have a plan of action and am rubbing my hands with glee at the prospect of getting my soil problem in order. Thanyou!
Blackbird - I have sown quite a few seeds that I hope to plant out. Here's a list:
Heartsease, Pansy, Night-Scented Stock, Hollyhock, Lupin, Sunflower, Poached Egg Plant, Cornfield Mixture (in poor soil), Cowslip, Primrose, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Foxglove, Corn Cockle, Phlox, Cosmea, Cosmidium, Dianthus, Eucalyptus, Nicotiana, Bidens 'Golden Eye'.
I also have some trailing plants like Purple Wave for hanging baskets.
Well, you did ask......:)
Hi Correpaw
Anytime with the advise
The reason I asked was the thought of you growing veggies in your garden.
So you are growing flowers for wildlife, butterflies, insects etc... sounding good
I cannot advise what soil conditions these plants like but as long as you have your soil made more managable you will succeed I am sure of that.
Of course there is the separate pots designed for your patio.
Corriepaw said: Blackbird and Brenda. Many, many thanks for your contributions and advice. Delighted that I now have a plan of action and am rubbing my hands with glee at the prospect of getting my soil problem in order. Thanyou! Blackbird - I have sown quite a few seeds that I hope to plant out. Here's a list: Heartsease, Pansy, Night-Scented Stock, Hollyhock, Lupin, Sunflower, Poached Egg Plant, Cornfield Mixture (in poor soil), Cowslip, Primrose, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Foxglove, Corn Cockle, Phlox, Cosmea, Cosmidium, Dianthus, Eucalyptus, Nicotiana, Bidens 'Golden Eye'. I also have some trailing plants like Purple Wave for hanging baskets. Well, you did ask......:)