Subsoil, pan buster, mole plough etc ?

[FrankTH]

Heavy clay soils what's the best routine to keep soils well aerated and to keep the drainage tip top.

 

[neilo]

A spade. Dig a hole and see if there is a problem and, if there is, at what depth.

I expect there are plenty of secondhand grassland subsoilers and aerators available that have seen little use.

 

[tr250]

Heavy clay soils what's the best routine to keep soils well aerated and to keep the drainage tip top.

Is your drainage up to scratch? If there is gravel drains installed mole draining will help if not it won’t. I’ve never felt it nessasary to subsoil a good grass ley should self structure through roots and worms

 

[Gedd]

A spade. Dig a hole and see if there is a problem and, if there is, at what depth.

I expect there are plenty of secondhand grassland subsoilers and aerators available that have seen little use.

My neighbour bought a opico swardlift and I got him to do two half fields 2 years ago no noticeable difference waste of time in my opinion

 

[Cab-over Pete]

If you’re going to do anything, do it at the end of a dry autumn when it’s a fair bet the land will get wet reasonably soon.

The last thing you want to do is break any ground up and risk a really dry and/or hot spell afterwards.