In message , Caroline
writes
When I arrived at uk.rec.gardening, not long ago, I read many of the
posts and replied to several. I did it in good faith thinking we are
gardeners talking the same language.
It would seem that I was mistaken. I find that interesting...
I would like to discuss the possibility of improving soil everywhere.

Clay "breaking" chemicals like lime sort of work, best applied in Autumn
so you get help from winter frosts. But it is better and longer lasting
to add loads of organic matter or cheap spent mushroom compost to
lighten it up. Clay soils have lousy drainage but are quite fertile so
adjusting your choice of plants to match the habitat might be easier.
Belgium where I lived and gardened for a while is also solid clay (baked
hard in summer, and quagmire in winter).

Gary I think the point is that we must be very clear about our climate or
nobody can help us. I live in the Netherlands and my climate is the same as
at least some parts of the UK.
I read the charter shortly after arriving here and understood the message.
So I do not bother anyone with questions about where can I buy? because I
know I will have to figure that out for myself. Or take the boat to the UK.
Use a bit of common sense and all will be fine.

OTOH for some of us in the UK taking the boat to the Netherlands and
buying plants direct from your bigger nurseries is potentially
attractive to keen UK gardeners. I know a UK dealer who goes over fairly
regularly.

Regards,
--
Martin Brown