Breaking up thick clay soil???

[Leanne]

Hi, i have a corner raised bed that i've been successfully growing clematis, lilac, lillies and other assorted flowers in for many years. This year i have dug them all up because i want the space for my raspberry and grape vines. The only problem is the soil. I have about 5inch of good quality top soil but that is hiding the most evil thick clay underneath it.

Is there any way to break it up or make it easier to work with. I was digging over the plot and while the top is lovely to work with the clay underneath is just impossible. Maybe there is a tool or some kind of chemical or something that will improve it.

Hope someone can help because my raspberry is really thriving in it's pot in the greenhouse and i really need to get it planted out soon.

Regards
Leanne

[Garfiun]

I also have clay in the soil and this would help me to at the moment i just go out every day and rake it over.

[wafflycat]

Here's a link

Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Clay Soils

[Garfiun]

Thank you for the info and that has been a lot of help.

[tweacle]

One other bit of advise I was given is mix compost/topsoil and sharp sand together and that stops it sticking and have quite good soil too.