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Clay soil

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Terry (U15188044) on Friday, 16th March 2012

  I am a new gardener and just moved into my new home. I started to dig my garden over when I found it is hard clay. How can I change this so I can grow plants. I am not to keen raised beds.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by AlinaW (U2220240) on Friday, 16th March 2012

  The long-term answer is to work in large volumes of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure - this will improve the quality of your soil enormously.
  The quick answer is to go to your local garden centre and buy something called "Clay breaker" (or similar), which is basically gypsum. This will break the clay up quickly and allow you to plant, but you should still try to add organic matter to the soil regularly.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Friday, 16th March 2012

  
  I agree with all AlinaW has said.
  
  On the positive side, clay soil is very water retentive and in the coming summer I think you will see the benifit of a clay soil. Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Terry (U15188044) on Friday, 16th March 2012

  The long-term answer is to work in large volumes of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure - this will improve the quality of your soil enormously.
  The quick answer is to go to your local garden centre and buy something called "Clay breaker" (or similar), which is basically gypsum. This will break the clay up quickly and allow you to plant, but you should still try to add organic matter to the soil regularly.  Thanks AlinaW. I will try this

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Friday, 16th March 2012

  Agree with Alina. LOADS of well rotted manure - you can't overdo it!
  
  And the cheapest way to buy gypsum by far is to buy builders plaster from a nuilders merchant. It is almost neat gypsum, and a fraction of the price of 'horticultural' gypsum, which is the same thing (except maybe for pink colouring).
  
  I have soil like yours, and in addition to the above I also added lots of sharp sand (again from a builders merchant. Also, I found a local supply of well rotted horse manure, picked from the field so no straw, from a local hoselover who has three horses in a paddock at the back of her house. 50p a big bag - reckon I have bought around 60 bags+ over the last 5 years. It's hard work, but well worth it.

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