my soil has two states concrete or plasticine last year i dug in loads of compost and screwed my back up for weeks afterwards yet when i did a bit of digging this morning and it didn't feel any different from last year. i'm determined not going through all that again. has anyone got a magic bullit
2007-03-01 09:39:58 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I purchashed an electric hoe they are great, made by flymo have a look in argos. I got the compost worked in a treat with that thing. Also I used organic manure and sand in the soil, it's worked a treat now, love the soil, you need to keep it up as much as possible.
but have a look for the hoe it's brilliant !
2007-03-01 09:50:28 · answer #1 · answered by weezyb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry P H, but digging it again seems inevitable. I'd hire someone in to dig it over for you. What you will need to do is add stuff to it.
Gypsum apparently is the magic answer as it must act as a flocculating agent, binding the clay particles to it. Lime (chalk) is the traditional method but this does alter the pH making it more alkaline. This is a good thing for many plants, but lime haters wont like it all, so perhaps Gypsum would be a better choice if you have Rhododendrons or Azaleas etc.
What you can also add is lots of sharp sand and grit. The more the better. However the more stuff you dig in the higher your soil is going to get.
If you can afford it, get a mini digger to excavate it and take it away and replace it with a good quality top soil with plenty of added sharp sand.
Compost though essential for soil health sadly wont stop it being sticky instantly. You'll need to add something non organic to break it up and a mixture or sharp sand, grit and gypsum or chalk seem to be the answer.
Take it easy on that back though. You only get the one.
2007-03-02 05:20:16 · answer #2 · answered by Ian. Garden & Tree Prof. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clay soils are hard work. If its a new garden then over the years it will improve with the natural leaf mould and compost from around the plants you are putting in.
If there is alot of garden then you have limited choices.
Lawn it, but you will need to spike the lawn with the prongs of a garden fork and fill the holes with sand which will improve drainage of the lawn.
You can add loads of sand and fine grit but its back breaking digging it in - it will only have to be done once.
Or you can buy plants that love clay soil. As it retains so much moisture there are lots of plants (easy grown) that will thrive there
If its bulbs and the like that you want then you will have to improve the drainage first.
Or you could leave the clay as a base and build a raised garden filled with topsoil - this won't dry out so much as normal there is
clay (moisture) underneath.
I treated my garden gradually. Improving only about an 18" diameter area around each new shrub/plant that I put in.
My thinking was what use is an instant beautiful garden when you are flat on your back.
Good luck
2007-03-02 06:09:55 · answer #3 · answered by intelligentbutdizzy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep on with the compost, manure, spent mushroom compost (can be alkaline) used potting compost, composted bark chippings in short anything the worms etc will take down into the soil you just keep putting it on top. If you are planting shrubs or perennials dig a big hole fill with compost and plant. If it's veg then fork over to one fork depth for most, deeper for runner beans. Potatoes are good for breaking up heavy soil but don't count on a big crop. Learn to live with your soil, I've got nearly an acre that was a field 14 years ago, much admired garden now.
2007-03-01 09:57:27 · answer #4 · answered by chewystuff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the best things for clay is gypsum to break up the clay and it works fantastic if you water in it well. Saying that organic matter is vital. In Oz they used to push the no dig composting. Bascially news paper on the soil and throw on every bit of vegetable matter you can. The better the compost he better it will work and as the vegetable matter rots it will gradually improve the soil. I found it took a good 6 to 12 months to improve the soil but it was worth it. I found with a clay soil, buying topsoil helps but if the clay cracks the soil quickly disappears so the only way to improve the clay is with regular composting.
2007-03-01 09:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by Gordon g 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gypsum is the answer. That's what the farmers use. Doesn't alter PH and only needs to be done three times. Compost is good to, but it breaks down over time, but is well worth using but will take many years. Get some gypsum and just do a bit a time, don't kill yourself gardening is a long term project.
2007-03-01 09:54:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to improve clay soil i'm afraid the only way is to add to it by cultivation. If you add sand or grit (quite a lot of it) it only needs doing once and it will improve dramatically. Cant you get someone to do it for you as it will be hard work but worth it.?
2007-03-01 16:51:00 · answer #7 · answered by chickadee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hire yourself a mini cultivator or machine that turns the soil costs about 50 to 120 pounds a days hire easier on the back too expect in the pocket.
2007-03-01 09:55:32 · answer #8 · answered by fatebpld 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had the same problem what i did was dig atrench & lay lots of hay in it and fill it back in you have to gone down one fork full in depth do another trench next auterm each year do one bit do this utill your plot is done sorry about the back but thats the only way you can plant potatoes over the trench they dont mind a bit of hay under root
2007-03-01 10:03:04 · answer #9 · answered by ray j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Order a delivery of a nice truck load of quality topsoil (dark as possible) and till it in with a tiller. Try and rent a nice rear tine tiller if you can.
Just do it in the areas you are interested in planting stuff.
2007-03-01 09:45:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋