Front garden

Having broken pickaxes, forks and spades during our first six months in our garden (26 years ago) we found the best way to lighten our very heavy, sticky and waterlogged clay was to use lots of course builder's sand- dug into the surface. Over the years we have added peat and forest bark and the ground is now really friable. We do spike the lawn every year.

Coarse sand is about the one thing I haven't tried! I spread horse manure a couple of years ago, plus various bags of peat substitute, etc. over the last 8 years butI will certainly have a go with the sand. I tried spiking the lawn but found it too much for me and I haven't been able to persuade son-in-laws to tackle the task either. Thanks for your help. This site is really proving useful.

Looks very good despite your waterlogging problem

You're quite right Chris, you can't tell there is a problem looking at the photo. I hope the measures you take will work so you can keep your lawn, Gee19.

Garden looks great! We had clay for most of our gardens in England, and I did find that roses really love it once they get established.