[rowlandwells]

just need to ask your advise i have been gardening for some years but as they say ones never to old to learn my allotment's are slightly on the heavy side one plot has a bit of clay and lays heavy it takes some braking down  i need to rotovate several times after winter ploughing  potatoes marrows and most other vegetables don't seem to like it there it seems like the goodness has been drained out the ground i thought about planting some corn like the farmers let it grow up keep it weeded then cut the straw and plough it in and  see if this would put any humus back in the ground the trouble is i am paying rent for something i cant use perhaps if i used a straw based manure mite help? has anyone experienced the same how have you rectified the problem what do you find grows best on this type of ground what would you suggest is the best way of putting humus back in heavy ground that's not to expensive whats the answer

[blackbob]

just need to ask your advise i have been gardening for some years but as they say ones never to old to learn my allotment's are slightly on the heavy side one plot has a bit of clay and lays heavy it takes some braking down  i need to rotovate several times after winter ploughing  potatoes marrows and most other vegetables don't seem to like it there it seems like the goodness has been drained out the ground i thought about planting some corn like the farmers let it grow up keep it weeded then cut the straw and plough it in and  see if this would put any humus back in the ground the trouble is i am paying rent for something i cant use perhaps if i used a straw based manure mite help? has anyone experienced the same how have you rectified the problem what do you find grows best on this type of ground what would you suggest is the best way of putting humus back in heavy ground that's not to expensive whats the answer

muck muck and more muck.

[poppies]

Hi have to agree just keep piling in the manure we are also on clay -used to be a brick yard , this has really improved the soil.

[cooperman]

as the thread suggest

add muck, followed by muck and just top up with more muck....  its the only solution, waste of time trying green manures as you seem to be suggesting (at this stage)

Seriously,  your plot association should have the phone number of a local supplier of well rotted horse manure or cow muck.  You can usually get a trailer load for £40 or £50 delivered to site.  I have done this for many years.  The soil in my locality is heavy clay but the soil on my lottie is now a lovely fine crumb.

As well as the muck I have added I have also put on several cubic metres of sharp sand and loads of leaf mould (no goodness in this just improves the structure.

As an addendum, remember that clay soil is high in nutrients - you just have to improve the structure to unlock this wealth!!

[Salmo]

It might be worth testing to see if it needs lime. If it is acid the structure will be poor. Otherwise agree with muck advice.

You still have time to sow a green mamure such as mustard or phacelia and dig it in before you plant later crops such as marrows/runner beans. Let it get 9 inches high and then turn it in.

[Goosegirl]

Agree with the lime test - if it is neutral to acidic, then do it but don't use manure at the same time. The lime will bind the fine clay particles together. As a quicker fix, try digging in some grit to help drainage, and yes - add as much well-rotted compost as you can.

[Trillium]

I also add all the fall leaves I can gather to my plot as I rotovate in the fall along with lots of manure. In fact, I go around town collecting bagged leaves from others who are glad it's being put to good use. Worms adore leaves and they're the best soil breaker imaginable, and with masses of leaves to feed them, it's a win-win situation.