Full sun, dry clay soil.

[soladragon]

I have a problem. My new patch I dug gets amazing full sun throughout the day however the soil is so dry and clay based.

I tried growing seeds so many times and they just never grow =( Garlic does ok there though.

Any advice on what I should sow?

[horticultural_hobbit]

Er....I'd say, grow anything you want. Just take constructive measures against the clay. I have clay, and I have learned to play with the clay rather than fight against it. How new to you is the patch? What i tried to do, was leave it exposed to the elements having poo'd it. And to be honest, you'll find lots of bits and pieces on here about making it more manageable. I can't specifically recommend stuff, but what I have observed so far, is that my overwintering garlic is doing all right. The fenugreek sown before Kismet, did well, As did some mustard. Admittedly, those both worked like a green manure and have made the soil more workable. Overwintering broadies, have grown, but took a while. The best advice I have receive so far, is to transplant things. So sow your seeds, in toilet roll inners if you like, and then transplant them. That way, at least your seeds have a fighting chance.

As for the dryness, add organic matter, i think. And mulch things. That retains the moisture. I have found myself watering the lotment patch almost daily, and that is purely because the water evaporates from the surface.

Not sure that answers your question, but hope some of it helps

[soladragon]

Thanks yea I think I will transplant. Just thinking what to sow. hmmmmmm turnip and beetroot might do well.

[WendyC]

If you need to sow seeds directly e.g. carrots, parsnips try making a shallow drill and filling with some multi-purpose composts, water it, sow the seeds and cover with more compost. By the time the seedling roots have reached the clay they should be big enough to cope. Keep adding as much organic matter as you can and you'll end up with pretty decent soil.

[Two_Sheds]

The best advice I have receive so far, is to transplant things.

I do that too, but have the opposite 'problem' - fine, sandy soil which dries out really quickly (at least clay hangs onto water and nutrients)

turnip and beetroot might do well.

Anything will do well: clay is brilliant, just change your tactics a bit

shallow drill and filling with some multi-purpose composts, water it, sow the seeds and cover with more compost.

Good advice too: I do this for carrot seed (which can't be transplanted from trays/modules

[soladragon]

Yea I have used that tactic but it still seems to dry... hmmmmm I would mulch but I don't think carrot seeds would survive

[taff]

mulch it.
I direct sow very little, only beetroot, carrot, parsnip and rocket. Everything else goes in modules then gets transplanted.
Clay has a nasty habot of cracking in the sun if it's bare earth, so mulching is really necessary before the top layers dry out completely.
Use anything really, cardboard, grass clippings, straw, a mixture of all of the above or something else.

[Kaiya]

If you are vigilant you could try the plank method mentioned in this post http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...hem_61497.html Or mulch lightly with grass clippings perhaps and gently uncover the seedlings once they germinate?

Beetroot can be sown in modules apparently and planted out as a bunch - I'm trying that this year.

[di]

I used to have three plots(when married). When I separated I knew I couldn't keep them all. I gave up the fine and sandy plot and kept the two clay. Yep, it's a pain in some ways, but I find it more productive.

If you're allowed to have a bonfire, I've found the ashes a huge help in giving me a fairly fine tilth to sow on.

Carrots are one of the few veg I go to extra special efforts for. I usually make a 'V' with my spade along the row and fill with compost.two years ago, I won a site best for them.

Up until this year, I've been lucky enough to not work so managed to water daily and prevent the cracks. This year, I'm going to be relying on mulching. I will say though, once your plants are established, don't be decieved by the cracking surface, clay really does seem to hold the moisture well....go down an inch or two where the roots are and you'll probably find moisture more than you would with the fine sandy stuff.

[di]

...and swede.

[taff]

I will say though, once your plants are established, don't be decieved by the cracking surface, clay really does seem to hold the moisture well....go down an inch or two where the roots are and you'll probably find moisture more than you would with the fine sandy stuff.

I'd rather have clay than anything else [bar loam obviously] but I had foot deep cracks in it last year, all down to lack of mulch and lack of enough organic matter....you really can never have enough...

[soladragon]

Sounds good! I will give that v carrot one a try then.

[soladragon]

I am quite a fan of Autumn King Carrots. Any you guys like?

[donnakebab]

I sew parsnips in toilet rolls then plant in to my clay soil. I've had the plot just over 2 years now and it is improving as I add organic matter to it. I've also added sharp sand and horticultural grit in places to improve drainage. When it dries out it's like concrete. Much easier to work when wet.

[Two_Sheds]

I add organic matter to it. ...When it dries out it's like concrete.

Donna, do you "dig in" or add the goodies as a surface mulch?

You generally get better, faster results if you water the ground well (or wait until it's rained) and then add the mulch on top. The mulch traps the moisture in the ground and attracts worms up nearer the surface.
The worms then drag the surface mulch down through the soil (thereby doing the digging in for you) plus they aerate with their tunnels as they go. Win, win, win. Much less work for the gardener, and better for the soil and its creatures

I have sandy at the lotty, but sticky clay at home. I'm using leafmould and coffee grounds as a mulch, and boy it's making a massive difference