growing exotics in clay

hi. i am new to the exotic scene, i am currently building a garden to grow as a highly coloured, scented and exotic paradise but... the growing matter is solid clay, it floods for a past time in the wet winter months. rather than digging and incorporating compost and gravel i was thinking about growing everything in pots, and burying some so they can be pulled out in winter. does anyone have an opinion or advice.

 

Hi forcandles, first of all welcome to the site.
I don't have advice for the moment, but I was pleased to read that you aim at the same type of garden as I.
If it wasn't that you will get there probably a few years before I do!
I think that I will start with a heated terrarium...but at the moment is still premature because of young children jumping all over the place!
Good luck in your project!

 

Very quick answer is to remove the worst of the clay, as much as you can be bothered TBH. And then build yourself some raised beds. These can be filled with the best topsoil you can afford. Clay is good for tropicals because ot the water retention at bedrock level. I went with pots for the first couple of years whilst building the garden. Not sure the benefit of planting them and then removing them, as long as they are tastful pots you may as well just level the clay and put them on top for as long as you want ?

 

Clay - don't talk to me about clay..... We have AT LEAST 14ft of it under us (long story and a deep hole ....)

I am planting in the stuff, Tropicals and all. What I do find, though, is you need to dig a big hole where the plant is to be and fill this with compost. This will act as a sort of "pot".... let the plant establish, then the roots will be strong enough to break through the clay. You must also just keep adding compost and grit - and lots of both. We use pea-shingle and home made compost. So, get a couple of bins and start adding your spud peelings.... There is no quick solution, but we have had some beautiful results.... and whatever you do - don't walk on your borders - it'll compact them as hard as stone!!!!

 

^^^^^^Spot on HoneyBee^^^^^^^....please can we have some Tf pics soon :D

 

Yeah HB!
A perfect excuse to leave the ironing We haven't seen any pics of your garden for yonks.....I bet it looks loads better than my soggy wasteland.... :D :D

 

Thanks for the ideas, started down the route that honey bee suggested. i've dug in 10mm gravel and sharp sand to give a little drainage and as i plant i'm lining the hole with compost. when i have worked out how to post pics i'll show you all how it's progressing.