Improving chalky clay soil options

Flinster

Morning! Just wondered on your thoughts of using a mix of A: composted bark, manure, leaf mould, or B: composted manure, grit and leaf mould, to improve awful chalky clay soil. I've already added a large amount of mushroom compost. I've never used composted bark before so not sure if it's any good in this application. Your insight would be much appreciated! thank you.

Borderline

I would go with option B for now. I think composted bark would be a jump for clay soils. The texture needs to be reasonably good to use composted bark, in my opinion.

Flinster

Thanks Borderline! 

Nanny Beach

Never heard of chalky clay soil, we have clay, the other side of the main road they have dry,chalky,flinty soil.Both have thir problems, everything but the composted bark I would say.

Flinster

It’s basically very hard with lumps of chalk and lots of flint, but also has a thin layer of clay- like a swamp in winter and a brick in summer... I’ve never dig soil like it! The only bonus is that it makes it ever so slightly less alkaline but only just at about 6.8-7.

josusa47

Did you know mushroom compost has chalk in it?

Flinster

I did thanks, but it does help to break down the sticky clay layer and add ‘matter’ and as I was adding so much manure it sort of evens out.