terrible smell from the soil
By Grace
United Kingdom 
we moved into a bungalow 7 months ago and the soil is very much clay we have a small shrub and a smallish tree and the area around that has the most awful smell. Because the area is clay we have used planters for our flowers and then put decorative slate on the soil. The slate near the tree and container always looks wet unlike the rest of the slate which stays light grey. I would be so grateful for some advice.
18 Jul, 2008
Answers
I agree, the drainage problem needs to be addressed first. My parents had this problem when they first moved in to their newly built house and had to get land drains laid to stop the garden flooding whenever it rained. Their garden is also on clay and still retains more water than most despite the land drains, but it hasn't stopped them growing a wide range of plants. Clay soil can be used to grow very many beautiful plants if it is worked and managed well.
19 Jul, 2008
Thankyou so much for all your contributions we will certainly take on board all what has been suggested.
Kind regards
Grace
19 Jul, 2008
Previous question
« i have 3 donkeys,is their manure good to use, and if so what time of the year is...
Next question
please can you tell me the best way to grow cuttings from a bush »
Marguerite is right - sort out the drainage problem first. If then you decide you want to plant in your soil, then the right time to start digging is in late autumn - leave the clay lumps over winter and the frost will help to brake it up. Then you need to dig in loads of organic material, compost, manure etc. If you persevere, your soil will be good and you will be pleased that you can grow a variety of plants - especially roses which love clay soils! When you plant anything at all after all this, dig a big hole and back-fill the plant with compost. I know that clay soil is hard to live with - but your hard work will pay off and just imagine what your garden will be like!
18 Jul, 2008