As I described in yesterday's post, the big gardening project I've taken on this year has offered a few more challenges than I'd expected going in.

Since we've had a break from the rain during the day, and temperatures have been reasonable,  I decided I'd try to start getting the clematis plants in the ground.  I've never planted clematis before, so this is a new learning experience for me.  I spent time doing research online to find clematis varieties that would be suitable for where I wanted to put them - the right height for our fence, hardy enough for our climate, and a growth pattern that would be relatively low maintenance once the plants are established - of course, this in addition to looking beautiful.

I found two clematis varieties that sounded suitable (Ilka and Ruutel), available from a nursery with a solid reputation for quality plants, thorough planting information, and good shipping (well packaged and prompt).   I ordered them last week, and they arrived on one of the hottest days of the year - too hot for planting.

The instructions from the grower specified a big hole to give the roots plenty of roof and enough good soil to get established.  Unfortunately, this area turned out to be all clay under a thin layer of top soil, so I actually dug it a little bigger than specified, because clay does not drain very well.  It's also hard to dig, much more difficult than loamy or sandy soil, so it was a real challenge.

For those of you who didn't grow up doing gardening in Chicago, heavy clay is a normal condition here.  This aspect of our natural environment has had a major effect on our local architecture.  A large portion of our housing stock and older commercial buildings is constructed of brick.  Much of this brick was made right here in Chicago from our local clay.  The beautiful terra cotta ornament featured on a lot of pre-World War II construction was also made from our local clay.  Strict building codes enacted after the 1871 Chicago Fire created an instant market for our bricks and resulted in a lot of high quality housing stock that has lasted for decades.

Step 2 - How big is it?

Yes, the instructions really do ask for a hole the size of a bushel basket to help the roots get established.  I made it a little deeper due to clay's poor drainage.

Step 3 - What goes in the hole?

Compost (with composted cow manure), bulb food, some of the soil that came out of the hole, and the plant itself.  Because it's tough for new roots to grow in clay (unless it's a super-tough plant species), I used mostly compost and some crumbled bits of clay (a small portion of what came out of the hole).

Step 4 - Almost there

The hole is mostly full.  An initial watering to settle the soil was done, and the plant is in place.

Step 5 - Finishing up

I finished filling the hole and added a few companion plants, which will provide some shade for the clematis' roots - a condition that clematis likes. I covered the soil with a weed barrier layer (corrugated cardboard, in this case) and mulch, and gave it a bit more watering.

After all that, I'm really glad I didn't attempt this in 95 degree heat.  More tomorrow....