Plants for Clay Soil

Plenty do. The plants here are picked to handle heavy ground that sits wet in winter and bakes hard in summer. Many actually prefer the steady moisture and fertility that clay holds so well.

Dig in plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to open up the structure and help drainage. Avoid working clay when it is wet, since that compacts it, and mulch each year to keep improving it.

Spring and autumn are best, when the soil is moist but workable. Avoid planting in winter when clay is cold and waterlogged, or in the height of summer when it can set rock hard.

Less than lighter soils, since clay holds moisture well. New plants still need regular water while they root in, but established plants on clay usually cope with dry spells better than those on sand or chalk.