By Jan65
North East England,
United Kingdom 
I have just revamped my front garden and created three borders that need planting up. The soil is heavy clay and one of the borders is mainly shady as it's against a garden wall. I'd like to improve the soil before planting anything - what do I need to dig into it? I have already put some sharp sand and some small pebbles in there but think I will probably need more and I'm not sure what else to do. Many thanks!
20 Mar, 2011
Answers
Thank you Sheila, I was wondering about that and you've confirmed it. I think I can get manure at my local farm shop luckily. Anything else I need to do?
20 Mar, 2011
Just make sure the manure is well rotted, and if its horse manure, that its safe to use, hasn't been collected where they use certain pesticides which contaminate it. Otherwise, soil conditioning compost from the garden centre, spent mushroom compost, anything like that to up the humus level in the soil. Chicken manure pellets are good too, but don't plant for a week after using those. Otherwise, just put some fish, blood and bone in the holes when you're planting shrubs.
20 Mar, 2011
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You've made a good start . . if you can get some well-rotted manure, that will improve your soil.
20 Mar, 2011