+9 votes
by (860 points)
Guys, iv dug out what hopefully will be a flower bed for my trees/shrubs, question is my soil is quite crap  it's mixed with clay and I don't think will be great for my plants drainage wise, should I just create a raised bed? Thank you
Guys,iv dug out what hopefully will be a flower bed for my trees/shrubs,question is my soil is quite

8 Answers

+11 votes
by (1.1k points)
 
Best answer
I have clay soil I add lots of compost mulch and grit mix well and use plants that like clay soil I plant marginal pond plants like arums callas iris ect
by (860 points)
@purveyance4598 unfortunately iv already purchased the plants, like rhododendron hydrangeas and the likes and of course they need good drainage, so this soil could be too moist for them
by (1.1k points)
@quibbling I have those in pots xx
by (860 points)
@purveyance4598 yes I do at the moment, was just trying to create a flower bed but the soil is ruining everything  
by (1.1k points)
@quibbling I know that feeling I was dissapointed when I had to start making my soil better and limited on plants , Rose's do well in thus soil well most Rose's
by (1.1k points)
@quibbling you can get Rose's cheaply to x u have to adjust to what you have
by (860 points)
@purveyance4598 thanks for all your help, I may have to build a wall and fill with stone and topsoil, agh great spending more money  
by (1.1k points)
@quibbling itd be easier and less expensive to return the plants and get more suitable ones or buy pots for them as I have for my ones that hate rich wet soil , you can make the soil work for you by just adding to the soil you have xx
+1 vote
by (5.3k points)
Top soil? Look at what Mr Titmarsh advises about clay I wonder if it can be mixed with sand or just layer on top with shingle and sand for drainage and top soil on top load of?  
+7 votes
by (860 points)
Will the sand help absorb the moisture from the clay? Sorry not great with all this soil stuff  
+10 votes
by (1.1k points)
I’d raise it a good bit and chuck in loads of top soil and farmyard manure , you can buy both in garden centres. That will give your plants the good soil they need sand nutrients and some distance away from the wet clay.  
by (860 points)
@rufe3 yes this is the best thing to do, was just hoping I could avoid spending money , yes I'd say that will be the best, will possibly use cinder blocks and create a wall, thank u
by (1.1k points)
@quibbling yes will look amazing when it’s done too. Be worth the extra money and work in the end as planting in that will end up like a grave yard for plants every year for you. Good luck , enjoy and post some pictures when it’s finished  
+11 votes
by (630 points)
I'd probably make the whole for whatever plant you need 2 or 3 times the size of the plant pot that's about to go in and add a good amount of compost and blood fish and bone. I've also started planting my fruit and veg scraps too, I know sounds mad but its putting the compostables straight into the soil and its definitely helping
by (860 points)
@chartist5667 yes , makes sense actually , I had read alright about using coffee grounds, banana peels and eggshell is great for your plants  , thank you
by (630 points)
No problem, its definitely working here, just not potatoe peelings unless you want to grow potatoes, you live and learn  
+12 votes
by (2.1k points)
Do the plants like good drainage & Gritty
by (860 points)
@magistery yes I think so, they like moist soil but not to have there roots lying in water
+15 votes
by (1.2k points)
There are certain plants that will thrive in a clay soil, admittedly the plants you generally see in carpark planting schemes as the can cope with most conditions. Alternatively improve the soil.  
by (860 points)
@lashundalasker the plants I have are rhododendron, hydrangeas, roses and Acer and I think they may not like this moist soil, what do you think?  
by (860 points)
@lashundalasker when u say improve the soil does that mean dig out some of the moist clay and mix it with god compost?  
by (860 points)
Good compost I meant ‍♀️
by (1.2k points)
I quite liked the God compost, probably good stuff. Three of the four plants like acid soil, rhododendron, Acer and slightly acid roses. Hydrangea will cope in both Acid and Alkaline soil giving either a blue or pink flower depending on the soil. Unless your soil is acid pH under 7, you may need to raise the acidity to lower the pH, you could introduce ericaceous compost Improving the soil, means improving the soil structure and will depend upon the soil conditions and may sometimes require grit, sand, organic matter compost, and sometimes additives to lower or raise the pH.  
by (1.2k points)
Looking at the picture, the soil looks quite compacted a heavy clay soil is generally grey. so digging in a woody compost with possibly some grit would help open up the soil structure.  
by (860 points)
@lashundalasker Yea another lady had mentioned ericaceous compost aswel, how could I make my soil be more acidy for them is there a natural (easy) way to do it
by (1.2k points)
@quibbling you could add organic matter a peat based compost would help lower the pH, . If you can test the pH I would, if not see if any of the plants you mentioned are growing and thriving in gardens near you, band it will give you a good indication. I would be tempted to turn the soil over, leave the air get to the clumps, break up with your spade and introduce a peat based compost.  
by (860 points)
@lashundalasker oh rite, yea I have 2 rhododendron and 2 hydrangeas in my front lawn that's doing well, I suppose this soil could possibly be a bit goofy too as I'm just after movining all them pebbles off it  
+6 votes
by (890 points)
Lillie's love clay soil.  
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