The soil type in your garden has a strong influence on the plants that are more likely to survive in the garden so it is important to identify the soil type, in order to help you choose the right plants for your garden and maintain their health and vigour as plants put in unsuitable soils will struggle to survive. Knowing which plant is more likely to succeed in a particular soil will lessen the chances of disappointing results and allow you to plan your garden with confidence.
Clay soils have over 25 percent clay. Also known as heavy soils, these are potentially fertile as they hold nutrients bound to the clay minerals in the soil. They drain slowly and take longer to warm up in spring than sandy soils. Clay soils are easily compacted when trodden on while wet and they bake hard in summer, often cracking noticeably/ has a smearing quality, and is sticky when wet. These soils often test the gardener to the limits, but when managed properly with cultivation and plant choice, can be very rewarding to work with.
Clay soils are heavy, high in nutrients, wet and cold in winter and baked dry in summer
