Clay soil problems

[BathEd]

I'm used to gardening on very average textured soil that could be broken up and raked to form a nice seed bed. I haven't moved far, but my new garden has very heavy clay soil.

The autumn before last I dug over part of the grass and dug in lots of compost from the local recycling centre. However, as it was so clayey, I couldn't get it down to anything smaller than very big lumps (up to golf ball to apple sized). Some are that slightly yellowish colour of subsoil. It's impossible to work when wet and when dry the lumps go very hard.

So sowing seeds direct was out of the question. I planted some courgettes and squashes started in pots which did very well despite the wet summer. This year again I've had to plant all my vegetables ready-started.

Is this just what I'll have to do, or is there anything else I can do to make the soil texture more manageable?

[horticultural_hobbit]

There is lots you can do, to make clay more playable. If you search the vine, there are numerous threads dedicated to making it so.

You have started well, adding compost. Talking from personal experience, carry on adding organic matter. If you can find poop, then that will be useful to you. There is also the notion of covering area in card or newspaper, and planting through it.

Don't be overwhelmed or worried by the fact that it is clay. It is hard work, due to the structure of the soil. But it does hold nutrients very well. So weeds do well!

I have also started off plants inside and then transplanted. Things like paper pots are useful.

Good luck!

[zazen999]

Mulch and sow green manures as often as you can.

The time to work clay soil is halfway between digging it over but before it dries into rocks. One good day of sunshine after rain is my key time to go and rake over the clay lumps. Makes a huge difference if you let the soil dry out but not let it get too hard. I also smash the lumps with the end of the rake to break them up a bit. By that I mean drop the end vertically onto the lumps.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Mulch and sow green manures as often as you can.

The time to work clay soil is halfway between digging it over but before it dries into rocks. One good day of sunshine after rain is my key time to go and rake over the clay lumps. Makes a huge difference if you let the soil dry out but not let it get too hard. I also smash the lumps with the end of the rake to break them up a bit. By that I mean drop the end vertically onto the lumps.

Clod bashing. Done that! I plan to sow lots of fenugreek.

[KittyColdNose]

We have the same problem in our new(ish) garden so are using raised beds filled with compost. This suits us for now. Otherwise, go with the advice above and add plenty of organic matter.

Happy growing!

[arpoet]

My garden is on a bed of thick clay and has always been a problem.
If you can, leave areas fallow for a year and covered in a thick mulch of rotted hos muck, home made compost, autumn leaves, spent hops, shredded paper etc. cover all with cardboard. The worms will have a birthday and take it all down and do the digging for you and aerate the soil.
The longer you can leave it the better......

[BathEd]

Thanks for all the suggestions, in particular the one about working the soil a little while after rain. Actually I tried it today after it rained heavily yesterday and it was much easier. I think it must be a small window of opportunity between being too wet and too dry that I've missed before.

[zazen999]

Thanks for all the suggestions, in particular the one about working the soil a little while after rain. Actually I tried it today after it rained heavily yesterday and it was much easier. I think it must be a small window of opportunity between being too wet and too dry that I've missed before.

Indeed, it is a small but incredibly valuable window.