Ö÷²¥´óÐã

TV and Radio  permalink

Clay soil vs concrete

• Message 1. 

  Posted by ameliawhistler (U13934220) on Saturday, 25th April 2009

  We would LOVE gardener's world to do a programme about gardens with heavy clay soil. We fell about laughing last night, April 24th, when you suggested 'running your finger along the soil to make a drill to plant seeds'We could MAYBE do it with a pick axe..........
  Come on.....not everyone has such perfect conditions.
  We've dug manure, sand and compost into our potager over the past 5 years, and we still need to use a mechanical rotovator and a lot of sweat to make the ground useable.
  I've spent 4 hours this w/e weeding the asparagus bed plus a flower border.......and I'll need to do the same again.
  In another month we'll be dealing with concrete.
  Jane
  ps any time you want to come and add your considerable skills to our garden feel free!! B&B included!!

  Link to this forum: Clay soil vs concrete

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by TallyHo (U2364821) on Saturday, 25th April 2009

  We're on clay. I reckon I spend about £20 annually per raised bed on manure, grit and compost, although now I've managed to get an arrangement with a local horse owner regarding the manure, it's not quite enough, you need the others as well.
  
  Once you've managed to weed it you have to mulch it or it'll be impossible again = more expense.
  
  

  Link to this forum: Clay soil vs concrete

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by geminiirishblondy (U10421719) on Saturday, 25th April 2009

  tell me about it!, I garden on half acre of heavy clay,my back is now b*d, all the horse manure, sand, grit won't alter the fact that its clay and always will be. I do mulch heavily with manure every year and it has improved it slightly but its taken 5 years. I have managed to create a decent garden though, lots of grit in the hole for every single plant that goes in. Even my mantis tiller is waving the white flag at me

  Link to this forum: Clay soil vs concrete

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Saturday, 25th April 2009

  You have my sympathies, I have clay in my garden and on the lotties too - always amazes me that I have so much trouble digging it but bindweed manages to break through with perfect ease!
  
  LLx

  Link to this forum: Clay soil vs concrete

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by ameliawhistler (U13934220) on Sunday, 26th April 2009

  Yes what a shame bindweed has NO practical use! because we live in a very rural area we seem to get a different 'weed of the year' each year, not to mention bits of oilseed rape and cereal crops to add variety!The size of the tap roots on various weeds have to be seen to be believed!

  Link to this forum: Clay soil vs concrete

  Report message5

Back to top