Clay Soil

Heavy clay soils in your garden can be difficult to dig, in fact it's hard work just turning over a couple of spade full’s.

And walking on the soil will compact it and break down its structure, which prevents water from soaking through the surface.

When the soil is wet air cannot penetrate through the surface. This leads to ideal conditions for slugs and soil diseases. It also means plant roots will usually just rot.

Given a nice hot sunny day and the surface of the soil will bake rock solid, start cracking and shrink as it dries hard as rock.

Even just digging can cause the surface to compact if it is wet.

Compacted soil will destroy its structure and kill off the millions of microscopic organisms plants need to grow and survive.

Not much chance of growing plants then!

Well there are some solutions.

Some easier than others and some better than others.

The best solution, and quite easy to do, is to make raised beds. You only need about 23cm (9inch) depth.

But 30cm (12inches) would be much better and is well worth the extra effort.

The next best solution, but fairly hard work, is to dig in plenty of horticultural grit. You will need a good 8cm (3inch) layer as a minimum and it will need to be dug in well.

But this can be real hard work if you have a large garden.

You may need to repeat this every couple of years or so to get the maximum benefit.

It is also necessary to dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or organic compost. By the cartload, the more the better.

You will also need to add a mulch of at least 5cm (3inch) of compost or well rotted manure. 8cm (5inch) would be better.

This protects the clay soil from the elements, especially heavy rain.

And whatever you do don't be tempted to just put a layer of grit in the bottom of planting holes. This just makes an ideal place for water to drain into with disastrous consequences for any plants.

Another solution, but back breaking work and mega bucks, is proper land drainage. Not recommended unless you have deep pockets, don't mind the upheaval and not being able to use your garden for some time.

But, it can be very successful.

And you will still need to add horticultural grit and well rotted manure or organic compost.

So, what can you plant in clay soils without having to modify it?

An obvious choice is bog plants especially where water tends to lie in pockets or low lying ground at the bottom of slopes.

What about making water features in these areas? Clay is ideal for holding water and with some clever use of bog plants you can make exciting, stunning, eye-catching designs.

In areas where water doesn't lie so much you can try hostas, many of the primulas, hydrangea, euonymus and lavatera as they should all perform well.

Shrubs such as dog wood, cotoneaster, hebe, spiraea, shrub roses and mahonia all should do well.

It's surprising what plants will grow and survive in clay soils.

If you are adventurous try your favourite garden plants, you may be surprised. And if they just don't do any good try something else.

Plants are very tolerant and will survive in conditions that aren't perfect, so it's definitely worth trying anything.

But if you can use raised beds your choice of planting is the same as it is for normal soils.

So, raised beds are highly recommended to overcome the problems of heavy clay soils.

But there are gardening plants that actually thrive in clay soil..... read more

If you want any more information on how you can grow gardening plants in clay soils or how to grow any of your favourite garden plants please feel free to contact us

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Soil and Compost..... read more