lumpy clay soil

[divvy]

I wasn't sure where to put this question , I hope it's ok here. We have just bought a static caravan in Dorset and are trying to sort the garden. Up the top was an old crumbling patio. We have had the concrete removed down to soil level and have dug it over. Our problem is that the soil is clay and sand and is now in large clumps where is so dry. We are hoping the rain , if we get any , will break the soil down a bit. We are intending to put turf on it once it does. Has anyone got any advice on how to get it to break down quickly so we can get on with it.

[donnakebab]

If it's a large area I would get something mechanical on it. Otherwise it's just a question of bashing it with fork and spade. The rain does make it easier to break up by bashing but it won't break it up on it's own.

I have some very clay patches on my allotment that I'm adding organic matter to but that's for growing veg not turfing.

Good luck!

[alldigging]

Add something to it to help it breakdown - or disguise the fact it's clay.

Some very well rotted muck (probably the sort you buy in a bag from the garden centre), or soil conditioner will help it be more soily.
Clay needs something with it otherwise it sets like concrete in big lumps. Frost is supposed to help but please don't wish that on us!

[Kleftiwallah]

On a positive note, clay soil is the best at water retention. It just needs something to keep the clay particles apart.

Cheers, Tony.

[SlugLobber]

To break up our clay soil I used well rotted manure and other composted material. Mine was freshly dug over (from turf), so we used a mechanical cultivator wotsie, followed by the organic matter, then raked with a 'claw' (terrible, but I don't know the correct name!), with lastly a normal rake to flatten it.