Clay soil in raised bed

[amandaandherveg]

I had a couple of tonnes of soil delivered yesterday to fill my new raised beds, 7 in total, 1.2m x 1.2m. The soil is definitely of the clay variety. As I'm new to all this, can you give me any hints or tips to growing in a clay soil. I was planning on growing all the usual suspects, caulis, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, leeks, onions, etc.

[ClayGarden]

I wouldn't have personally thought clay soil would be something you would want delivered and used in a raised bed. I know it is meant to be nutrient rich, but it can end up waterlogged quite easily. People build raised beds usually to move up from the clay.

[amandaandherveg]

Didn't know it was clay soil until 2 tonnes of it were dumped on my driveway. Doh! Now have to make the most of it.

[ClayGarden]

I think you should get yourself a lot of organic matter and get that mixed into it. Thats normally the treatment for clay gardens (i should know ). You even put some newspapers sheets down too, either mixed in or layered into your raised soil. The worms will mix it up best for you

[amandaandherveg]

LOL, there were loads of worms in it, so that's some consolation.

Should I just rip up some newspapers and dig them in. I need to top the eds up a little, how about adding the contents of some growbags? Would that help?

[ClayGarden]

If you water the newspaper sheets first you dont even need to rip it up. It will fall apart as you dig it in Spread sheets out on top, water, dig in.

I'll leave the grow bag advice for someone else. Personally i'd think it might be a waste of the grow bag.

Oh and worms, gooood

[zazen999]

Hi
Anything organic will help; possibly some sand as well to help cut the clay up.

[ClayGarden]

Hi
Anything organic will help; possibly some sand as well to help cut the clay up.

It MUST be sharp sand though apparently otherwise it just makes things worse.

[amandaandherveg]

I've still got a bunch of sharp sand left from a patio I've just built. Looks like it will be a combination of newspapers and sharp sand - and the owrms of course..

[amandaandherveg]

Oops, meant worms!

[terrier]

If you can't get farm or stable manure, you can buy it bagged from most garden centres although a bit pricey. Go down to your local amenities site, there'll be plenty of newspaper there and you may be able to buy their own council compost cheap.

[Nicos]

Mix in sand, used hops,composted manure, mushroom compost, composted leaves, old compost from grow bags and garden pots, and a bit of the soil from your borders if you can.
...and wot the others said!

[amandaandherveg]

Sounds like a right old cocktail LOL!

The weather forecast says it's going to rain here for the next few days, as a newbie, I'm really worried that I'm not going to get anything planted out at this rate. I'm I getting in a flap needlessly? I don't want my first year to be a washout, literally.

[Nicos]

Where abouts are you? ( perhaps you can put a rough location on your profile??)
I've not got my spuds in yet, nor planted any seeds, and can't now for a week as we will be away.

We never really do much until end of April anyway so I'm not at all bothered as I'm not into extra-early crops. They all catch up.
The only thing we have planted out so far this year are onions and shallots a couple of weeks ago.
We get our last frosts here at the end of May so 5-6 weeks to germinate and plant out is plenty ( except for the odd thing like chilli).

You've plenty of time!!

( I forgot to say...a pinch of magic dust makes all the difference - if you can get your hands on some!!)

[amandaandherveg]

Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland, thick frost on the windshields this morning.

Can you get Magic Dust on the Seed Exchange?