Clay

[alandcaz]

We have moved to Ireland and are desperate to start growing our own vegetables and fruit. We have plenty of room but:-
Unfortunately the soil is really heavy clay.
Can anybody suggest where we start.
We have been told that mushroom compost will help. Is this correct?:

[Uncle Albert]

I can't speak highly enough of raised beds for minimising the bog/concrete extremes of heavy clay soil.

The extra height provides extra drainage, plus the seperation of soil from paths means you can manage the soild on a bed by bed basis. We've got clay (although it's not quite as desperate as at my old house), and the raised beds are filled with probably about 2/3rds clay soil, a fair amount of vermiculite which helps to prevent capping (the concrete effect clay gets on the top when it dries out), and as much home compost as I can make.

The compost is the key, and the fact we can apply bed by bed means we can improve the soil as we need to - the poor old potatoes get the virgin clay, whereas the carrots, leeks, etc get the improved soil in the beds.

If you've got plenty of room, it might mean you have plenty of plants, bushes & trees already - if so, I'd strongly recommend you get a chipper/shredder. You'll be able to smash up all your cuttings, and start your own compost factory, and what you can't compost can be used as mulch.

Good luck!

Oh,and welcome, by the way!!!

[Nicos]

Hello there alandcaz- welcome to the Vine!!
We used mushroom compost, and hops (free!!!!)from the local brewery aswell as a few bags of sharp sand and tons of cow and horse manure (with shavings and straw) when we had our clay plots.
Where are you? If you are near the coast,get hold of plenty of seaweed too! ( but forget carrot and parsnip growing this year if you add all that nutrient!)
Also, tip out soil from your flowering tubs each year onto your own compost heap (as that tends to be fibrous)
I didn't know about raised beds back then- it would certainly have made life a lot easier!!
How nice to start afresh!!!

[JennieAtkinson]

Hello alandcaz - welcome to the Vine!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hello Alandcaz welcome to the Vine! Everyone is a very friendly "bunch" and has lots of useful advice and tips to help you get started with your growing. Don't be shy - just ask away! Good luck and looking forward to reading how to get on. Best wishes. Bernie