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Help!

Post 1

Vip

I've just moved into my new abode. Troy's house is lovely, and actually has a garden that I'm allowed to get my teeth into. After these years of talking, I finally get grow stuff*.

But it's clay. And by clay, I mean make-pots-with clay. What would you suggest? A deep dig with sharp sand and compost? Abandoning it altogether and creating a raised bed on top?

Are there any crops that would be good? I know potatoes are good for breaking up the soil, but would this be too much even for them?

I've only had an allotment before, and after forty years of people knowing what they're doing before me, the soil was pretty good. This time I'm at a loss!

Thanks, m'dear,

smiley - fairy


*and by stuff, yes, I mean stuff that I can eat. smiley - smiley


Help!

Post 2

Mu Beta

I'd start by getting a few bags of compost, some gypsum and forking that all through in one back-breaking effort.

Plant some fairly tolerant crops this year - runner beans, bushy herbs, broccoli, spring onions. Don't expect massive harvests, but they'll sort out the nitrate balance and help to break the soil up for next year.

Go for pots big-time, because at the end of the summer, you'll have a nice balanced soil that you can add to the garden over the winter. Don't forget to compost your kitchen scraps too.

B


Help!

Post 3

Vip

I've already ordered the compost bin through the council, so hopefully that should turn up soon-ish.

Gypsum, eh. Right. Shall look into it. May as well make the most of the being unemployed business for as long as it lasts. Pots too- should have thought of that sooner!

Thanks!

smiley - fairy


Help!

Post 4

Phil

If you have real clay that you can make pots with how about your own outdoor oven?
As Mu B has said you'll want lots of organic matter in there. If you can't make it all yourself you can buy it in to dig in (in smaller or larger quantities as needed).


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Post 5

Vip

An outdoor oven? For pot-making... an interesting idea, to be sure!

Yeah, organic matter it'll be. There must be some decent topsoil on the first few inches of where I intend to set up camp- the grass (tsk!) is currently growing well enough. If I turn the clods and bury them that should provide with a bit of matter at the very least.

smiley - fairy


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Post 6

Phil

I was thinking more like for baking bread, pizza etc for dining outdoors.


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Post 7

Vip

Oh sorry, got the wrong end of the stick there. I could certainly look into it. It'd be something to do with all the spare clay that I might end up with after digging over...

smiley - fairy


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Post 8

la_chupa

I live in an area rich with clay. We have the red kind here. I end up digging a trench for things like beans and filling in the trench with potting soil. I dig holes for tomatoes and the like. Over time my garden has slowly turned into decent soil but it has taken a lot of time and work.

Sad to say I come from a long time of farmers who would all be horrified at what I call a garden.


Help!

Post 9

Odo

Hi Vip, hope the planting goes well.

Depending on where abouts you are now living, you could always do what my Granddad did to improve his soil when he moved into his current home.

Are you anywhere near playing fields, parks, golf courses, graveyards or similar? Do they have a large population of moles? If they do, then take a couple of carrier bags and a trowel with you on a walk and collect up the ‘mole hills’ for your garden.

Free topsoil!

smiley - erm You may need to visit certain sites under cover of darkness to avoid upsetting the locals.

Any use?


Help!

Post 10

Vip

I don't know of any nearby but it's a great idea!

I'm also going to start going back to coffee shops and start asking for their coffee grounds at the end of the day. Take out the occasionaly spoon and there you go! Free nitrogen!

smiley - fairy


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