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I also add a lot of sand to my clay loam. For normal gardening, like veggies and perennials, I till 1.5 inches of sand into the top 8 inches of soil. Then I rake the soil into raised beds. This gives me almost a foot of improved topsoil. If your soil is acid, it is helpful to till in one handful of lime for every square foot of soil surface. Lime reduces soil acidity, and also helps with soil structure. You should consider paying for a soil test.
HelenHave a look at the question about peatbeds without sphagnum that I asked in April last year.Just type peat bed in the search space(top right) and it is the first answer
Ian. You mention planting Gymnospermium altaicum in the open garden. In the past, when I used to have it, I have kept mine warm and dry under glass when dormant in the summer. Doesn't sound like a typical Aberdeen garden. Do you have somewhere this will be happy outside?