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novocastria · 30-09-2004, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex WGS Hamm

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Kay wrote:

Heavy clay is not the word! How come the soil in the fields is like
black compost and I get the short straw!! lol

But you haven't! Heavy clay plus humus = loam which is a very fertile
soil. So start a compost heap and start adding humus. You'll find things
will grow in abundance, and you won't be forever watering in the summer.

Er, no. Most meanings of the word "loam" mean something else. But
you are right that heavy clay is extremely fertile when lightened
with enough humus.
It's a real bugger to dig though :0(

Actually it's very off putting to dig! In the summer it was like a drought ridden desert so you have to wait till it rains, then afterwards it is like a quagmire.. am hoping that October is a bit drier and I can get out there! We have a lot of weeds in the beds but the grass looks nice! :-D
I have visions of loads of crocosmia "Lucifer", verbascum, and loads of Echinacea, borage, evening primroses,various lavenders and feverfew by the ton.

Does anyone else have herb gardens? What works for you in clay soil? I used to grow lots of herbs when I lived in the north east and miss them too...... maybe I need a field to grow everything I wanbt to grow!