Just moved to the west country. I was hoping the soil would be clay because I like my roses and ericacious plants.
The small garden is a bit of a change from my previous 200 foot garden but I have a disability that isn't getting any better so had to have something more manageable.
The garden was just membrane covered in shingle so rather than digging it all up I thought a thickly planted gravel garden would be attractive (lots of examples on pinterest).
Anyway pulled up some membrane to see what soil I have and it's literally such heavy clay I could throw a good quality pot right there if I had a potters wheel.
I am still going to plant a gravel garden but my God even digging a small hole for a perennial geranium was bloody hard work.
I didn't put the soil back, I replaced it with some nice organic compost. I'll get someone to take the soil away when I've finished planting.
Is there any way of making a large hole for my rose without back breaking forking and digging - any tool that makes life easier? I'm finding the digging really too much for me and I have a lot of plants to put in.