My soil is very clay like. I could probably form a little figure or bowl with some of it. Will some of the hardy plants tolerate this?

There are some benefits to clay soil. It holds water and nutrients better. It is also very dense and gets hard when too dry and puddles when too wet. I would add some compost to it, and perhaps mulch on top. If digging compost in is too hard, just add it to the top - the earthworms will work on it and mix it in. Lots of plants will tolerate it.

What type of hardy plant?

cwhitt said: There are some benefits to clay soil. It holds water and nutrients better. It is also very dense and gets hard when too dry and puddles when too wet. I would add some compost to it, and perhaps mulch on top. If digging compost in is too hard, just add it to the top - the earthworms will work on it and mix it in. Lots of plants will tolerate it.

Thank you! So good to know!

RpR said: What type of hardy plant?

I planted zonal geraniums, sweet alyssum, cat mint, and some small boxwoods.

It should grow just fine.
We have Black Gumbo up here and where it is real heavy loosen the soil well and ad compost manure in a hole approx. six to eight inches in diameter; nature will take over after that.

RpR said: It should grow just fine.
We have Black Gumbo up here and where it is real heavy loosen the soil well and ad compost manure in a hole approx. six to eight inches in diameter; nature will take over after that.

That's so good to know! Thank you. I did put compost in, and of course I have mulch on top. Do you feel like you have to water different with clay?

BlueRaccoon said: That's so good to know! Thank you. I did put compost in, and of course I have mulch on top. Do you feel like you have to water different with clay?

No except it holds water better.