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Here are some of my problems:
My soil is red clay (like a rock!) and I have areas in my garden that are really wet most of the time. I have lots of space to garden, a little over an acre, although just a small portion has been cultivated. I would like to know what kinds of flowering plants grow in this type of soil. I've tried roses there and they all drown.

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Don’t try to change your soil texture by adding sand to clay or vice versa. That is a recipe for cement. Some amendment recommendations for clay do include a portion of very fine sand, but there are better ways to change your soil texture.

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Adding Organic Matter
Back to organic matter, this is the only amendment that aids both the fertility and the texture of the soil. Whether it’s animal manure or plant humus, you will be feeding the soil and the whole ecosystem that exists there. The soil in turn will feed your plants.

There are many types of organic matter.

* Compost makes an excellent amendment and if you are composting your garden waste, it’s free.
* Manure can often be obtained from local farms and stables. Manure should be composted and decomposed until it turns dark, crumbly and odorless. Fresh manure has too much ammonia in it and can burn your plants and offend your neighbors.
* Peat moss is cheap and works well to loosen the soil. It is also very dusty. Wet it first to make it easier to work with.
* You can even work grass clipping and other debris directly into the garden bed to decompose slowly. Be sure whatever you put down is free of seed.
* Cover crops or green manure are crops grown on unused soil with the intent of tilling them in and letting them decompose in the garden. The roots keep the soil loosened as they grow and the plants suppress weeds. Cover crops from the legume family, like clover and vetch, also add nitrogen to the soil.

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For additional info, please see
Amending Your Garden Soil - Making Good Soil out of Bad

You may want to visit also:

Organically Speaking
Guides and tips to growing your garden using organic methods...

For list of plants for clay soil, see:

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Gardening About:

Plants for Growing in Gardens with Clay Soil

Also from the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Doug's Gardening Tips:

Perennials for Clay Soil

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Amor est vitae essentia.
Love is the essence of life.