Digging in sticky soil

[sez]

Have to say I'm another one breaking the rules and digging sticky clay soil. It's a new bed (from grass), and god knows when the next time I'll have a free weekend of good weather will be. I'm not standing on the ground I'll be planting in so can't see the harm in breaking up what was solid clay with a fork, adding in some spent compost, and leaving it to the elements?

[NOG]

Hmmm.
Traditionally, you shouldn't dig the soil if it's so wet that it sticks to your boots. You do more harm than good, treading all over and compacting it.

Then you have never seen my plot.....it goes from the Somme to Tesco carpark in a matter of days.

You have to dig it when its soft cos once it dries it sets.
I have in the past had to plant stuff with a pick axe.

[Paul Wagland]

My first allotment (in Portsmouth) was just like that. It was on a patch of land called 'the Morass' which is a geological throwback to the times when Portsea Island was one big swamp.

I never used a pickaxe, but I do remember trying to get the whole plot dug over and planted in the two or three days in spring when it was workable!