By Pdb
Lancashire,
United Kingdom 
I have a couple of existing raised beds which I have grown veg in for the past 4 years but the soil below the shovel depth is very clay still. My OH has raised the depth of the beds and in total they will now be about 18 inches.(46 cm). Ive got a ton of new Veggie Gold Compost coming and my question is shall I simply put the new compost on top of the existing soil. Like I said the top 9 inches of the original soil is good to work with.
I didn't know if to dig most of the soil out till I get to the clay then put some stones in for drainage or will it be ok once I have the fresh compost on top. Hope this makes sense.
2 Apr, 2013
Answers
I agree with Steragram, so long as you have a good level of workable soil the clay wont affect what you can grow.
2 Apr, 2013
Many thanks for your answers. Phew saved my OH a job he really didn't want to do.
2 Apr, 2013
Clay is full of nutriments which might leech up through the soil and help to fed your veggies.
2 Apr, 2013
I think I would try to mix in the new compost as much as possible, so that you don't have a sudden change from the new to the old, but don't worry about the clay at that depth, Derek.
5 Apr, 2013
If your veg have been successful so far and you've had no drainage problems I should leave well alone and just put the new compost on top. See what others think.
2 Apr, 2013