I have clay soil, too. The back yard drains quite well, but the front yard holds water. Or it did until we installed a drainage system that takes all of the water from the gutters and driveway out of the yard. Voila! No more problem. It was like quicksand before.

If that is not an option for you, try changing the topography of some of the beds. Raise some areas for planting by incorporating more organic matter into the soil in selected areas. Even a little change will help enormously. More often than not, the problem with properties that stay mucky has little to do with the type of soil but with other physical characteristics such as topography, hardpan, etc. Most of them can be solved by a bit of engineering.

BYW, be sure that organic matter is your soil amendment, not sand as so many people think improves clay.

Yep, make mounds and plant on them. You'll be happy when the summer drought comes that your soil holds some water.

I agree. The matter of drainage is what needs to be addressed. No matter how good your soil is it won't drain if it is in a low spot. So you need to mound up or raise your beds, or create a drainage path out of the area by basically digging a ditch or a swale. The latter is ideal if you can do it, but it's not always possible. The water has to have somewhere to go and (obviously) it has to be somewhere lower. -Ais.

I planted a willow tree in the spot where my property is wet and drainage has gotten a lot better. You could try a river birch too. Then do some research on the internet to find out what plants like wet feet? In the meantime planting your already purchased flowers in a raised bed is a great idea. There are also ground covers that soak up water but I can't remember their names. The JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh is a great place to go and also to get info off there website. Linda NC

Try contacting the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh for some info on plants that like wet feet. Linda NC

Here is a link that might be useful: JC Ralston Arboretum

Thanks to all of you. Forget to say that this whole area that I'm talking about is on an incline. Probably a 24-30" slope so the water is running down this area to the base of the incline. The incline is the problem. The base is all clay with grass. Can't figure it out. Brenda, you are right, I will appreciate it this summer when it is dry. Thanks Linda NC for the website. I will do a little more research. My amendment was turkey manure and topsoil. Also lots of peat and some compost. Thanks again to all.

If you're on an incline, I wouldn't worry. My plants have had wet feet the last couple of weeks too - our recent rains. The same spots will be dry as a bone come June-Aug. Enjoy it while it lasts.