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Best soil improver for clay soil

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  • #1

    Best soil improver for clay soil

    Hi,

    I have heavy clay soil. Last year I dug it over a lot, removed a LOT of tree roots and building debris and added some sand to bits that were collecting water. Moved a lot of soil around (so it flatter) and good news is it seems to be draining much better - been quite a test if that past few months,


    I want to plant a lawn and some beds for plants. Not worried about veggies as will do that mostly in raised beds. However going to continue trying to improve soil until the autumn with two or three cycles of green manure (ones designed to break up clay, deep roots etc)

    However whilst I have the chance (cos once lawn down I won't have again) I was thinking of getting a couple of bulk bags of soil improver. From my reading just getting in organic material as much as I can seems the way to go. The green manure will help but wondering if good old dung manure or spent mushroom compost or the like would be worth doing? Can't decide what would be best and any advice would be welcome. Less concerned about enriching g soil too much as ensuring it drains better and alternatively doesn't dry out and crack too much,

    Any advice would be very very welcome. Thanks in advance,

    John


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  • #2
    Sorry, meant t say. My other option is a bulk bag of hort grit which would be more permanent addition but not sure if this a good idea or not?


    Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

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    • #3
      I will have a keen interest in this post as my plot is mostly clay. I also have dug over my plot. I must have gone a lot deeper than the previous owner as I found a old clay pipe, which was broken up.


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      • #4
        Lawns are fine on clay soils as long as they aren't waterlogged; from what you say it sounds like you don't have a drainage problem so that's ok. If I could get hold of enough then I would rake peat or peat substitute into the top inch or so before sowing or turfing to help it get going, but that's all; just concentrate on getting it consolidated and level and a nice tilth on the top.

        For the flower beds I'd just get the perennial weeds out then mulch, mulch and more mulch with garden compost or anything organic you can get your hands on. Over a surprisingly short time the worms will will open up the clay and give you a deep, rich, fertile soil that most ornamentals will love. Same as for veggies, really.
        My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
        Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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        • #5
          I too garden on clay, to put it in context the brick works down the road supplied bricks to line the London sewers as it is such a dense clay. I used mushroom compost when I started my garden and then have mulch with homemade compost every year for the last 17 years. The soil is much improved! Horticultural grit is good too, just make sure it is reasonably coarse, as you want to open up the air spaces between the clay particles. Sand won't be coarse enough. A local builders's merchant ought to be able to advise you. I'd dig in the grit, plant and mulch with mushroom compost. Remember it is alkaline so not suitable for your acid loving plants, if you have any. Clay can be difficult to handle but it is a question of timing, I'd rather garden on clay than a very light sandy soil.
          Start yourself a compost bin so you can save yourself a few pounds next year.

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          • #6
            Thanks for feedback. Yes, drainage (and getting over dry when we actually see some sun) is my key concern. It was a problem last winter but okay this one but as I say I think cause it been dug over. My concern is once the lawn down it will compact again and I will get water problems,

            Think I might try some coarse grit where lawn will eventually be. Not worried about beds as i will def use home compost each year and dig over so compaction less of an issue?

            I am hoping green manure will make a big difference to properly breaking it up then lay lawn in autumn?


            J


            Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Caldan View Post
              Can't decide what would be best
              I always like to use what I can get hold of easily and cheaply. I'm in suburbia, so there's no horsemuck on offer.
              I do have 2 dogs, 2 parrots & 2 guinea pigs, so I compost all their poops, at home, in an ordinary black dalek.

              The dog compost in particular is very good: very crumbly & dark. I've just forked out 3 small piles of it onto the flower beds. It's doing wonders for my sticky clay soil.

              I also pick up a couple of bags of coffee grinds when I'm in town, and this goes on the beds as a thin mulch
              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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              • #8
                What did you end up doing?

                I too have a clay soil. I sorted the veg beds by digging to remove large flints, and perennial weed roots, then threw on home made compost. Two years on it is good soil. I spread one inch of sharp sand on the lawn after killing it, then rotovated, and reseeded. Drainage is much improved.

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                • #9
                  I have heavy clay at the lottie and have worked on improving it in certain areas only as some veg don't seem to mind it. One of the most successful areas is where I've used cardboard, just laying it all over with no gaps, soaking it with water then simply covering it with more soil. And it is totally free.
                  My Autumn 2016 blog entry, all about Plum Glut Guilt:

                  http://www.mandysutter.com/plum-crazy/

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                  • #10
                    The OP lives in Surrey ....

                    soil conditioner/compost made from the green/brown bins is good for improving clay .... In Cambridge, we get as much as we want for free

                    here are the details for the surrey recycle centre: (not sure if it's close to where the OP lives)

                    https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=706

                    quote:

                    Soil conditioner (made from the Council's garden waste collections) is also available free of charge to residents at our Reuse and Recycling Centre, Kimpton Park Way, SM3 9QH. Up to four bags at a time can be taken away. Bags and spade need to be taken to site by residents. To check availability please contact Customer Services

                    4-1 ton builder bags perhaps?

                    add 6-8 inches ontop of the soil and rotivate it in .... then seed or lay turf ... thats what I done and my lawns are pristine
                    Last edited by dim; 27-08-2014, 02:59 PM.

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