Clay soil

[WelshBoa]

I have just moved to a new house which has a fair sized south west facing rear garden. Dont think anyone has used it for growing in some years and last summer was spent just getting the grass cut down to size etc.

If the soil in the rear is anything like out the front its quite a heavy clay. I'm guessing potatoes would struggle to grow in that type of soil, but will probably grow those in containers anyway.

Would any root vegetable thrive in that type of soil or should I look to make raised containers etc.

[johnmichael]

Adding plenty of organic matter to clay soil will improve it so most crops will thrive,as it stands it is probably only suitable for some trees and shrubs.

[JustGrowVeg]

I have quite heavy clay soil! I broke mine up using soil conditioner that I bought from B and Q, which worked well. And at the end of every year I put compost out of my compost bin on my plot and dig that in, which also helps to break it up!

In my allotment, the soil is even heavier clay than in my garden and I planted potatoes in it. They helped break the ground up, and then at the end of the year i added compost and horse manure which helped to break it up even more.