[pistonbroke]

I have started to dig an area of my plot for the first time since taking it on last year, and by all accounts according to a couple of the old timers  it has not been dug for many years. Over the winter I have noticed that when we had any rain it was very slow to seep away and the ground would stay very wet for many days. Even after  the couple of fine and sunny days we have had in the midlands the ground is still soden.
While digging out a large dock and trying not to leave any root in,  I dug had down about  two and half foot when I came to a bed of clay, this must be the cause for the wet ground.
What I would like to know is there anything I can do to get over this problem.
I would welcome any suggestions and advice.

[Yorkie]

We've had a couple of threads recently on similar themes, why don't you have a look through this one and see if it gives you any ideas 

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=29776.0

[kel28]

My allotment is clay its horrible I know I've had it for 2 years nearly the 1s year I spent listening and taking advice now Im doing it lol. I did not add alot of manure, sand & compost on last year I still managed to grow lovely and healthy garlic, onions, pumpkins, cabbages, brussels and cauliflower along with raspberries and strawberries so dont get disheartened. What i decided to do was use raise beds fill them up with horse manure. On our allot we get it delivered from local sources and we pay about £3-£5 for 16 barrows (i have to push this up 2 fields !!) so ask your commitee if there is a site some could be drop off ours gets delivered to our car park. Over time it will get thru and your clay soil will improve but as I said dont give up make sure all the way round the edge you dig at least a 1 shovel deep and width trench and your water shouldn't stay on allot too much as i have drowned things by not doing that.  Your raised beds can be anything like old drawer casing old bits of wood loose bricks anything you can find at home down tips or in skips. I hope i have helped you a little bit

[littlelisa]

When I was in the UK (not anymore!!) my allotment had heavily clay soil. The bonus is: almost anything likes clay soil, really. Dig in manure if you can. And grow potatoes - that will help break it up. And then enjoy your groovy rich soil!!

[pistonbroke]

Thank you for the advice it have been very helpfull.

[mor]

Don't add more sand,Keep adding organic matter.
good luck

[BigPaddy]

Two and a half feet before clay! I cal, that luxury.

[woodburner]

I'm afraid I take my clay soil for granted, like tap water, as I grew up with it. To me that's what soil is! On the plus side, I know without thinking, how to deal with it's problems.