[Trillium]

I've been at mine for the 9th year now and it's coming along, but still not quite where I'd like it to be. But it sure beats the pick ax I had to use on it when I first got it.

So yes, it's the long haul that will eventually pay off.

[BabbyAnn]

Last year I lifted several slabs in my garden to make way for a new veg patch but the ground is just solid clay. Over the winter I've been digging in chicken manure and keeping it covered with plastic but its not made any difference at all so i'm very doubtful that i'll be able to grow any thing in it. My idea was to grow potatoes and french beans in it for a few years to try and break it up. How deep do I have to dig to be able to grow things like carrots and broccoli? Im not verry experienced and im thinking i may have taken a bit too much on.

By keeping it covered I think you have stopped the frost from breaking the clay up Leave it uncovered for a few weeks for the frost and rain to do their bit.
If you dig a spade (or a fork is sometimes easier) depth, you will be surprised that things will grow, maybe not carrots, but lots of other stuff is ok in clay

In the first couple of years I grew cabbage, cauliflower, calabrese, beans, peas, sweetcorn, courgette, winter squash, chillies, peppers and tomatoes and they all did very well and were suited to the heavy clay.  I've only started to introduce root veg (potatoes and carrots) recently in beds that got lots of extra compost/manure and sand added and they've been brilliant 

[Kristen]

I made lazy raised beds (dug 1 spade depth for paths, put the soil on the 4' wide beds) about 4 years ago.  I have incorporated rotted manure each year (except roots area). The beds have never been walked on. But that's about it, no great pampering.

I would say within a year it was workable, and now its in good shape. I would not attempt to work it when wet, and I raise pretty much all my veg plants in pots to plant out (which probably helps as I can "choose my time" a bit more, but I don't grow in pots because of the clay)

I leave the beds open for the Winter as I think the frost helps break down the clay.