County Leitrim is famous for its stunning drumlin hills and its famously wet clay soils. For many gardeners, drumlin clay is seen as a hostile force—sticky in winter, rock-hard in summer, and draining with painful slowness. But clay is not the enemy. In fact, clay is one of the most nutrient-rich soil types you can have.
At Crann Grá, we have learned to garden with Leitrim clay rather than fighting it. The secret lies in organic matter and choosing the right plants. Adding well-rotted leaf mold, peat-free compost, and bark mulch helps open up the tight clay structure, allowing roots to breathe and water to pass. Just as importantly, selecting plants that naturally thrive in damp, heavy ground—such as Astrantia, Bergenia, and Meadowsweet—ensures a thriving garden that handles the North West winters with ease.