Understanding Clay Soil

* Of all soil types, this has the smallest particles.

* Can be responsible for chemical changes and physical effects

* It is not inert, it is chemically active,

* It contains Silicon, O2, aluminium, Iron & other elements

* It attracts and holds other chemicals - plant foods.

* Small, close packed particles hold water (by capillary action) - affecting nutrients & drainage

* Tends to be cold, & is slow to warm up, this delays the start of the growing season.

* Because it holds water and therefore less air it is 'heavy'.

* Improvers - the aim is to improve drainage and air holding capacity and living organisms

.......Humus......Sand/Grit.........Lime

* Adding lime - a) 'crumbs' structure, b) is a nutrient c) aids break down of humus

d) counters tendency of clay soils to acidity (Don't add with manure)

* Sodium alginate (e.g. in seaweed ) also flocculates clay aiding drainage and aeration.

* Superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia makes soil acid.

* Nitrate of soda, e.g. bonfire ash defloculates and makes clay sticky (Compost)

• * Mulching prevents drying out & cracking in dry summers.
• * Easily becomes compacted, avoid walking on.
• * Using ridging or raised beds, building up surface layer improves growing conditions.
• * Burning has been used on a small scale on suitable sites .
• Some of the many plants that do well in a clay soil

Trees:- Betula Cercis Chamaecyparis Hawthorn Holly Juniper Laburnam Laurel Picea Prunus Quercus (Oak) Rhus (Sumach) Robinia Salix sorbus Thuja Yew

Shrubs:- Berberris Buddleia Box Chaenomeles cotinus Cotoneaster Daphne Deutzia Diervilla Escallonia Euonymus Forsythia Hebe Hydrangea Jasmin Kerria Lonicera Philadelphus

Potentilla Pyracantha rosa & ribes Senecio spirea Symphoricarpus Syringa (Lilac) Viburnam Other Plants:- Achillea Sconitum Anchusa Anemone Aquelegia Aster Bergenia Campanula Chrysanthemum Foxglove

Doroncicum Echinops Galega Geranium Geum Helenium Helianthus Heliopsis Hellebores Hemerocallis Lythrum Papaver Nepeta Primula Solidago Tradescantia Trollius Verbasscum Vinca