Allotments 4 All

I've had an allotment for a couple of years now and had some successes and some failures. Ive just taken over a new bigger plot. The soil is heavy, almost clay, and there are quite a few weeds. Ive covered to try and halt the weeds and have begun digging. Any suggestions, particularly for breaking up the clay.

It will take a lot of you time to sort this out but the main answer is compost, (manure and your compost bin) it will take you a few years to probubly get where you want do be but the more compost the better the worms and the decaying matter will work with time. A lot of grit and sharp sand will help a little with drainage but dont put to much in as it could   reverse the goodness you are putting into the soil. Dont know if this will help  loads of good gardeners on here they will help you and good luck

Can you get autumn leaves or grass cuttings? Lots of organic matter dug in will make a big difference over time.

as above really.my soil was heavy but has improved.

but i would only dig and break the soil up by spade or fork for the first season or so,pulling out weeds/roots as you go along.

ive seen people rotavate there new plots,multiplying the weeds in the process

An over winter green manure of grazing rye works wonders on heavy soil.
I will also be trying white clover as an under-sown GM this year, to see if that helps.

Hi jackmeghaz - congratulations on the new bigger plot, you must be pleased.

I'm also on heavy clay, and like you I'm going to work on that - I'm slowly working in organic matter. I've read that liming where appropriate can also help. But it's my first year using lime so I can't advise from experience there.

If you have transport and access to manure - you could be one of those organised sorts who spreads tons of the stuff all over your plot. But otherwise it can be hard work to get enough organic matter to the plot in the first couple of years, while you're waiting for the compost heap to get going. But don't despair - you can still get good crops from clay. (And it doesn't dry out as fast in the hot weather. )

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your advice. The concensus seems to be to add loads of manure etc.

Another question comes to mind .... What plants will be best in the clay soil?

Everything... once you have got it improved it holds nutrients the best! It doesn't tend to do well with things that need to go in direct such as roots as it often caps before the new seedlings emerge...  :)