Different soils have different textures and properties that should be considered when growing different things in them.
In this short guide, we outline what might grow well in clay soils and heavier types of soil.
Summary – What Grows Well In Clay Soil
Clay soil has traits/properties that make it different from other types of soils
These traits/properties mean that different plants, fruits, vegetables, and other things are going to be more suitable for growing in clay soil than others
There’s different materials that can be added to a clay soil in order to amend or improve it for growing conditions
However, some clay soils may be so extreme that adding to them or trying to amend them to improve growing conditions can be futile
Some soils may be a clay mix, which means that it may be predominantly clay, but also include a certain % of another type of soil as well.
This may change the suitability of the soil to grow different things in it, as it isn’t a full clay soil
The soil type is only one factor in determining what you can and can’t grow in that soil – there’s also other factors to consider, with climate/weather conditions being one major one
Overall, each individual geographic area (in different regions, States/Provinces, and so on) of soil needs to be assessed individually with all it’s own unique factors and variables to determine what does and doesn’t grow well in it.
There may be growing principles that apply to clay soils generally, but, individual growing variables can change that to different extents
Characteristics Of, & Profile Of Clay Soil
Pure clay soil tends to:
– Have the smallest soil particles when compared to silt, and sand
– Hold/retain a lot of moisture and water and have poor drainage (because of how tightly compacted the small clay particles are)
– Be poorly aerated
– Be sticky and clumped together when wet – making it hard for root vegetables to establish roots in the clay, and making it hard for gardeners to work with it
– Crack and go solid when they dry out – which can dislodge certain root systems
– Hold onto nutrients, but can be hard to access for plants and other things growing in clay.
Working With, Improving & Amending Clay Soil
Compost, leaf mould, coarse grit and well-rotted bark chips can work well when added in moderate amounts to clay soil.
Liming agents like calcium can also work well in moderate amounts with clay.
However, as mentioned by Empressofdirt.net, sometimes the clay soil in your area might be too extreme for modifications and amending, and raised garden beds with imported soil might work better for growing.
Read these sources for more info on amending, improving and working with clay soil:
10 Best Vegetables For Clay Soil (empressofdirt.net)
Growing Vegetables In Clay Soil (growveg.com.au)
Growing Fruits Trees In Clay Soils (kings.co.nz)
The Best Plants For Clay Soil (daviddomoney.com)
Small Trees & Shrubs For Heavy & Clay Soils (gardenersworld.com)
Types Of Soil (provident-living-today.com)
Soil Type Test (burkesbackyard.com.au)
A Note On Soil Types, & What Ultimately Impacts How Things Grow
Before we look at what grows well in clay soil, it’s important to note that all soils are slightly different in composition depending on the location (you might get a pure clay soil in one location, but in another you might get a mixed clay soil or a soil with different characteristics), there are different external factors acting upon each soil, and ultimately, there are many physical, chemical and biological factors that determine how well something grows in a particular spot or under particular conditions.
This is just a guide on clay soils in general, without going into extreme depth about all these other factors (factors like soil fertility, soil health, soil quality, fertilizer added, top soil added, pesticides added, tilling practices and so on).
It would do you well in the long term to get information on the soil in your location (what it is and what is the best way to manage it), the climate in your location (temperature, rainfall etc.) and the growing seasons (for example – the US has different planting zones), the plants or things you want to grow and the conditions they need – and come up with a specific plan for your situation.
These guides provide some basic information on figuring out what might grow well in different soils, conditions and locations:
All The Factors That Affect The Growth Of Plants
How To Know What Grows In Your Soil Or Garden
How To Know What Grows In Your Geographic Area Or Climate Zone
I Can’t Grow Anything In My Soil – What Do I Do?
Plants & Flowers That Grow Well In Clay Soil
Iris
Miscanthus
Heuchera
Baptisia
Platycodon
Hosta
Aster
Rudbeckia
Perovskia
Echinacea
Coreopsis
Achillea
Athyrium
– hgtv.com
Aster
Goldenrod
Black Eyed Susan
Russian Sage
Daylily
Yarrow
Little Bluestem
Fountaingrass
Switchgrass
Ironweed
Canna
Bluestar
Baptisia
Coreopsis
Purple Coneflower
Sea Holly
Perennial Geranium
False Sunflower
Heuchera
Hosta
Blazing Star
Bee Balm
Sedum
Yucca
Miscanthus
– bhg.com
Flowers:
Roses
Daylily
Foxglove
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Elder
Hydrangea macrophylla
Lychnis coronaria
Thalictrum
Persicaria
Chinese lantern
– gardenersworld.com
Flowering perennials and bulbs:
Hostas
Lingularia
Euonymous
Vinca
Alchemilla mollis
Asters
Rudbeckia
Coreopsis
Phlox
Aconites
Hellebores
Japanese anemone
Geraniums
Primulas
Cranesbill
Pulmonaria
Astilbe
Astrantia
Kniphofia
Solidago
Ivy
Clematis
Honeysuckle
Narcissi
Snowdrops
– daviddomoney.com
Fruits & Fruit Trees That Grow Well In Clay Soil
Citrus trees
Fig
Stone fruits
– gardenguides.com
Vegetables & Crops That Grow Well In Clay Soil
Lettuce, chard, green beans beans and other crops with shallow roots
Broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage often grow better in clay soil than looser loams
Mid and late season sweetcorn are a good choice, too, but some of the best vegetables to grow in clay are squash and pumpkins.
As long as they are grown in planting holes that have been generously enriched with compost, summer squash and small pumpkins seem to do well no matter where they are grown
Rice can also work well in clay
– growveg.com.au
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage (red and green)
Cabbage (Napa and savoy)
Cauliflower
Kale
Bean
Pea
Potato
Daikon radish
– empressofdirt.net
Bean varieties
Carrots and beets
Swiss chard
Rice varieties
– hunker.com
Vegetables:
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Squashes
Pumpkins
Onions
Leaks
– daviddomoney.com
Trees, Shrubs and Bushes That Grow Well In Clay Soil
Trees and shrubs:
Snowy mespilus
Birch
Crab apple
Roses
Hawthorn
Holly
Strawberry tree
Cotoneaster ‘Hybridus Pendulus’
– gardenersworld.com
Trees:
Birch
Eucalyptus
Sorbus
Hawthorn
Magnolia
Amelanchier
Pine
Thuja
Juniper
Chamaecyparis
– daviddomoney.com
Shrubs:
Cornus
Viburnum
Mahonia
Berberis
Pyracantha
Cotoneaster
Weigela
Buddleja
Forsythia
Hydrangea
Chaenomeles (flowering quince)
– daviddomoney.com
Plants For Wet Clay Soil
Iris
Hostas
Hydrangea
Cornus
Weigela
Astilbe
– daviddomoney.com
Sources
1. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/14-plants-that-thrive-in-clay-soil-pictures
2. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/best-plants-to-grow-in-clay/?slide=slide_526290#slide_526290
3. https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/small-trees-for-heavy-and-clay-soils/
4. https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/10-flowering-plants-for-clay-soil/
5. https://www.daviddomoney.com/best-plants-clay-soil-grow-full-sun-partial-shade/
6. https://www.gardenguides.com/list_5942074_fruit-trees-grow-clay-soil.html
7. https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/forum/which-fruit-trees-can-be-grown-in/
8. https://www.kings.co.nz/gardening-news/growing-fruit-trees-in-clay-soils
9. https://www.growveg.com.au/guides/growing-vegetables-in-clay-soil/
10. https://empressofdirt.net/best-vegetables-clay-soils/
11. https://www.hunker.com/13406959/crops-that-grow-well-in-clay-soil
12. http://www.provident-living-today.com/Types-of-Soil.html
13. https://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/gardening-tips-books-techniques-and-tools/soil-type-test/
Awesome info, moved to endland a few years ago and the soul here is very clay based. Scotlands soil is completely different. None the less I’m happy I can still grow stuff that my family like to eat. Home grown always tastes better