Replacing clay soil

[jobe1972]

Hi I am in the process of removing around a 1ft depth of clay from my front gardens currently they have been covered in stone for years as the ground was always way to water logged to do anything so this year I been removing it . I intend to replace with top soil, sharp sand and compost just need to know what ratio of each before I start filling .. I was going for 1/1/1 ratio but thought would check first

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @jobe1972. That's a lot of work/expense depending on the size of the area.

If I was doing it, I would lay about 4 inches of sharp sand (same as shar?) and then fill the remaining space with 1/2 top soil & 1/2 compost mixed.

An alternative approach would be to work with the clay in situ. Remove all rocks, apply liberal amounts of compost, and do that season after season while also turning green manure into the clay. It will become workable and a very good garden soil over time.

 

[redback]

the ground was always way to water logged to do anything so this year I been removing it .

Clay can be good fertile soil. I would make sure it drains to a low point - maybe dig a small pond and ensure there are drainage paths sloping down to that point. You can then spread sand (2" or 50mm thick) evenly across the sloping site and, leaving only paths as sand, top dress the beds with manure or compost (2" thick ). It is probably wise to dig trenches connecting the top dressing to the new sand underlay and plant these trenches out with seed of multiple types. If the seed grow well, you are underway. If the results are poor you need to keep top dressing and planting until the soil becomes fertile and aerated.