soil improvement

Hello peeps,

Ok my new lottie is giving me headaches!! I have had an allotment for 30+ years now and I still ask for advise, My new lottie has been laid as waste ground for approx. 15 years before the council got them back In use this is our 2nd year and with the hot summer the soil has been baked, and with me working away the weeds took over (jungle style) aswell.

The soild is a heavy loam/clay subsoil , I want to loosen the soil up so it don't clump and I,m not sure what todo? I know it will take a while , I was thinking of lots of horse dodo wi sawdust and a course sand and ive also managed to bag 2 pallets of compost for free (the joys of a lorry driver) any advise or suggestions are most welcome. Also anyone on here could loan a rotovator for the day I would much appreciate, carcroft, Doncaster area, Many thanks peeps

I agree - no substitute for lots of organic matter.  Not too sure about the sawdust addition as that will take longer to rot down, but if it's a choice between manure with it, or no manure without it, I'd probably take it.