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I'd be careful with sand, Pops - apparently you need a whole lot of the stuff (and it MUST be sharp sand) to make it work and, if you don't add enough you make the problem worse (not personal experience - just what I've read). Lots of organic material and very little treading seems to be the way to go. But once you've got the problem under control, you're going to have one of the most fertile soils in existence.

Mike

:)
thanks MKG - i'm starting with a lot of digging and a mix of compost and rotted manure, that should be a good start for this one bed, and then hope and pray that the next section isn't the same! :D

last week we had proper downpours so i've been up there the last couple of days and "viola!" as delboy woud say, suddenly it's like a spade through warm butter! fab, have dumped in a 60L sack each of general compost ans rotted manure an it all looks superb, feels soft and warm and lovely :D
am digging over the clay-ey part and it seems the particularly orangey stuff is spread around the whole plot in small deposits, but if i want to do any more beds (which i will, i';m only halfway across!) i just have to rememebr to dig it over a day or three after a deluge! ;)

Not one for digging myself, prefer to use a fork to get out weeds and gently loosen the soil, then to lay the compost or manure on top, where it keeps the soil moist, keeps weeds from germinating, and then the worms can do the work for you, slowly digging it in.

pops wrote:we're allowed up to 10% floral

It's amazing how many flowers are edible and how many edible plants such as herbs have really pretty flowers.

So, you need: rosemary, lavender, thyme, marjoram, nasturtiums, geraniums (you can eat the flowers), roses (think rosewater flavouring), jasmine (ditto), borage, honeysuckle, violets, oh the list is endless.

Zoe

:D

thankyou so much! (any excuse for more roses and lavender!)