Planting New Shrubs into a Rain Filled hole

NewBoy2

I have bought some shrubs and dug the required holes in the front garden and found clay about 6 inches down so when it rains I have 3 inches of water which tales 3 days to drain away

I realise I cant solve the rain retention challenge and if i plant them into water that may cause them to rot.

? Any suggestions friends.

Fairygirl

I think you need to add some manure etc to the holes, and general area, to improve the structure before planting anything.
It's pointless otherwise. Grit and manure are the best options for improving and opening up the structure of clay soil.
Once established, the shrubs will take up any excess, assuming they are suitable for damper conditions too. 

Obelixx

Monty Don would say remove all plants to a safe haven and double dig to loosen up the clay and add organic matter and grit to open it up.

If you can't do all that, break up the clay in those holes - and a bit wider afield - with a pick axe.   If you can't do that pierce the clay as deeply as possible with a strong garden fork and wiggle it back and forth to widen the holes and make as many as you can.  Then, for either case, pour on fine grit to go down the holes and gaps you've made and hold them open to improve drainage.   

When you plant your shrubs, mix in some fine grit and manure to the soil before filling the planting holes again and make sure the shrubs are slightly proud of the surrounding soil level so they don't sit in a puddle and drown.  

Posy

I find the best way is to dig out an unusually large area, mixing in muck and breaking up the clay, then mounding the soil so that it stands above the normal soil level. Firm it down and add more, then let it settle for a few days. Plant into the highest point. You will have to replenish the soil from time to time.

NewBoy2

Obelixx 

I have manure to add.

What are your views on me adding some Vermiculite or would it not be permanent or strong enough.

NewBoy2

Just hammered a steel rod about 6 inches into the bottom of the hole and filled it with water so I can compare it with the other one.

Now its raining and is supposed to ALL NIGHT

This is like School Physics......Experiment.....Apparatus.....Method....Findings.

Fairygirl

Not vermiculite @NewBoy2. Grit and manure, as I said initially, or even pea gravel. I often use that.
You'll need to improve the general area where you want to plant.
It's the only way to ensure your shrubs will establish well. Been there many times 

Hostafan1

make the hole more square than round so that when the roots hit a corner, they force their way out rather than spinning round in a circular hole.

mandyroberts99

What sort of 'grit'? Does it need to be 'Horticultural Grit' or can you use some type of sand?

Fairygirl

I often use pea gravel @mandyroberts99 . It's fine for heavy clay. Anything bigger is too big really. It's also much cheaper than the horti grit.
You have to be a bit careful with sand, as the wrong type can compound the problem. Building sand is what's used for making mortar, so you don't want that! If you see grit sand or coarse sand, that's usually the one that will help, but it can be a bit fine, so it's useful for pots, but not so good in open ground. 
It can contain a fair bit of salt too, so it's best left for a while before using the area for planting up.

mandyroberts99

@Fairygirl - this type of thing: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Tarmac-10mm-Gravel-Pea-Shingle---Major-Bag/p/131882