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#1 · 7th January 2024, 1:54 pm

Hi, I'm vwry new to gardening. I want to prep my garden and prepare the soil (innpots and in a bed) for spring. The aim is mainly to grow vegetables and i would also like to plant flowers tjat attract bees and insects.

The garden is feral! I live in London with a clay soil, i have compost, but it is not ready yet. I will be doing the work by hand and would like to ask how i can prepare the soil before i start growing.

Thank you,

#2 · 10th January 2024, 9:49 pm

Hi @hannahgorgeoushotmail-com

This a frequently asked question by new enthusiastic gardeners. How do you get amazing soil ready to plant?!

However, whilst we can improve soil by adding organic peat-free compost, for example, leaf mould or well rotten mature, we are never going to fully change the soil type from, say, heavy water-logged clay to free-draining sandy soil. Soil improvement is a gradual and patient process.

The better option is to work with plants that love your conditions, and they will flourish. If you really want to plant things that don't work in clay then this is where container gardening or raised beds can come in helpful as you can add your own soil.

I think my video guide below will help you further.