Advice for clay soil improving

speedbird

How can I improve some areas in my garden which has heavy clay soil. It is literally grey when you dig down below the surface and could throw pots with it. I was thinking maybe bags of mushroom compost or soil improver type loam?

Also where are the best prices, I need to order online as I have a very small car.

Anyone have any tips on plants that grow well in this type of soil. Thanks.

babyshoes

Try growing potatoes to break the soil up a bit. Also add in lots of compost and other organic matter like grass cuttings, hay/straw, leaf mould, shredded paper, torn up cardboard etc. Either compost it first and use before planting in spring, or dig it in at the start of autumn and leave it to break down over winter, or both!

You could add bags and bags of compost and soil improver if you are in a hurry, but gradually adding in organic matter will work just as well in the long run.

Wookey

Dig it over, fork in compost and manure and expose as much of it as you can to the elements. Keep of it but continue to turn it over with a fork and all the time ensure larger lumps are left on top, as these get exposed to frost, sun and rain they will loosen up and be easily broken down. Growing deeper rooting plants, adding worms and more compost will all help in the long term to keep it in good condition.

bromsgrovebarry

Dig in as much organic matter as possible and apply a generous mulch over the soil surface. Worms are very good at working organic matter into the soil.

kippers

Yes, as said before you need to dig in loads of organic matter eg compost, manure, leaf mould etc This will improve it enough to grow veg etc You will then need to test your soil to find out if it is acid or alkaline to find out which plants are suitable to grow

misskool

as above. nothing really easy about it. It does improve quite quickly, we noticed a big difference between last year and this year, so hoping next year will be better.

speedbird

thanks for all the advice, digging and mulch it is then!

eckythump

I used coffee grounds(free from starbucks) and cardboard as a mulch on the clay soil on my allotment.
It has made a massive difference as the worms love it and break the soil down for you.

1jim

we have used coffe grounds, sharp sand, old compost and ocassional digging in- has worked wonders on our clay borders

misskool

just a reminder that coffee grounds are slightly acidic, so be careful what you plant on it after digging that in.

I add sharp sand.

eckythump

misskool wrote: »

just a reminder that coffee grounds are slightly acidic, so be careful what you plant on it after digging that in.

I add sharp sand.

It takes a huge amount of grounds to alter the Ph of the soil.
I have used it up to a couple of inches depth without it making a difference.
obviously it needs to be dug in or a little time for the worms to do their job .