boggy clayey soil

**hailtryfan** · 24-01-2011, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by snake the squadie View Post

however i have been thinking if i could use this to my advantage and what could i grow there

any suggestions people

How waterlogged are we talking? I have heavy clay and most things grow pretty well in the unimproved areas apart from things like onions and raspberries.

If it's really waterlogged you could always grow a crop of watercress, common reeds (which have lots of edible parts) and there's always rice

**snake the squadie** · 24-01-2011, 06:14 PM

well its only water logged for a quite few days after rain due to the high water table and most things i have tried just rot

**Kristen** · 24-01-2011, 06:39 PM

I made "raised beds" by just digging out the paths and piling the soil onto the beds - so the paths are 6" lower than the beds, and that helps improve drainage. If you put some boards around them they will look much smarter than mine do!

My beds at 4' wide (max. width so as to be able to reach the middle from either side) and the paths 18" wide

Don't walk on the beds once you've made them (other than to dig, although I rarely do any digging any more, just put some manure and compost on them ...)

If there is any slope and the paths can go down hill they will enable the excess water to run off.

**snake the squadie** · 24-01-2011, 07:51 PM

thanks and yep that is exactly what i have done with the rest of the plot this is the last bit to do and have sort of run out of soil unless i bring it in. the plot is big enough so i dont really need it but as i said i was wondering if i could do any thing with out doing any thing if that makes sence lol

**northepaul** · 24-01-2011, 08:00 PM

Can you improve the drainage at all? I added a large quantity of sand over two years to my area that sounds exactly like yours, I also added a lot of spent compost etc. Now its still clay-like and acidic but not quite so boggy.

Fruit tree? My plants and damson love the rich soil there.

**snake the squadie** · 24-01-2011, 08:03 PM

cheers not tried that and will give it some thought as for the fruit tree i planted a pear tree very close by and i didnt even get a leaf never mind a pear

**Aberdeenplotter** · 24-01-2011, 08:28 PM

Celery is a bog plant.

**taff** · 24-01-2011, 08:41 PM

I was just going to say that!

would celeriac work there too?

**chris** · 24-01-2011, 08:44 PM

and me! grr

*tries to think of something else...*

edit: can't, sorry!

Mind you I did see "Clay Buster" in my local g/c - said to improve clay and make it workable. No idea what it's like mind.

**northepaul** · 25-01-2011, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by snake the squadie View Post

cheers not tried that and will give it some thought as for the fruit tree i planted a pear tree very close by and i didnt even get a leaf never mind a pear

You usually need two different varieties pear trees to get a crop - even it it says the one you have is self fertile.

Also, if its a new tree you would have to wait a year or two or three for a crop.

**snake the squadie** · 25-01-2011, 05:22 PM

yep i did get a couple of diffrent varieties and didnt expect much but just one leaf wasnt much to ask for. and will look into celary. i can try it this year then if its no good i will go back to my original plan thanks every one

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