Improve clay soil

CLAY soil is generally fertile. A wide range of plants, including roses, grows well on it.

But in prolonged wet weather, clay soil will be a sticky mess.

If you walk on it or try to cultivate it when it is in this state, your feet will squeeze out all the air and stir it into a kind of wet porridge.

And when that dries, it will have the consistency of rock.

Important matter

You must wait until the soil is fairly dry before you attempt to cultivate it. Work from boards to spread your weight. Adding grit can be very effective but well-rotted manure, mushroom compost, composted bark or any other organic material is the only sure way to improve clay.