Yep this is what I need for the new yard

Well, Im at a lost as what to do. This is all new to me so Im just experimenting. When it doesnt rain, its quite dry out but when it does, the rain doesnt drain well. It can take up to aweek for all the water to soak into the ground. Im planting my flowers and plants straight into the ground , using good soil in the hole and then covering it. Right on top Im using the clay from the hole to cover the soil. It seems to hold the moisture in the ground. I want to see if it will work like mulch.

The truck has been banished to the end of the drive. Theres two 6 inch deep ruts in the drive way from where it rains and the truck tires sink in the clay. Im planning (thats the word here ....planning!) on evening that area out and planting water plants there. It will give that area some color and life.

But as for all my "reg" plants, Im just planting them and hoping for the best! I think its just going to be a matter of trial and error on my part in planting a garden that will survive and thrive in this clay.

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I do not have a green thumb
My plants just have the will to live.

Denee, you need limestone for your driveway. It is expensive, but well worth it. Our drive use to do the same thing, even after a load of river rocks. They just dissappeared into the clay. It was horrible, big ruts and holes in the drive, it would push out to the side, pretty bad. We got limestone about a year and a half ago, no problem since.

I know cardinal flower will grow in clay and wet areas, we had some come up wild. I dug it out before we had our place disced up but the puppy from hell ate it out of the pot. Die puppy, die puppy, no such luck. Sensitive plant will grow in clay, I have some volunteers from some I started from seed last year. I had them in a container and now they are coming up in clay and gravel we had hauled in for our trailer pad. Balsam will also grow in clay, is easy to start from seed and will reseed easily also. Varigated vinca vine will also grow in clay and is a good ground cover, but it spread rapidly, you do not want it in a flower bed bc it will take over. I have it on the side of my trailer where I have some containers. The only other advice I can give you is to ammend your soil. If you have access to oak leaves they are great for a soil additive, and course builders sand will also cut the clay soil. Whenever you are digging anywhere and find earthworms put them in your flower beds. They aerate the soil and eat the organic matter from the leaves and such and produce worm casting which is very beneficial to your soil. If you have worms in your beds then you are doing something right. I am gonna but a couple of container of them this spring to add to the ones I already have. I hope some of this helps, I know what you are dealing with bc I have clay soil and it is a pain in the rear to deal with.

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Sharon

Phil. 4:13