High clay content in soil?

[Showboat]

I dug a bit out earlier only to find i can't put it back in... its almost like quicksand, you certainly can't stand on the area! I only dug a small 1/2 foot hole!
Does this indicate the soil is high in clay and explain why the previous owner grew bamboo / and shrubs in the area!
So much for me clearing it and putting grass seed down

Anyone experienced this? What are my options?

 

[gregorius]

Dig in a mixture of compost and soil improver. It also sounds as if you may have some drainage problems; in which case, you may need to consider doing a lot of diffing to put a drain in (or get someone else to do it!)

 

[Maccapacca]

Clay is very fertile however there's no air or drainage and it heaves and shrinks. If it is clay it needs to be worked and broken up.

It's back breaking but worth it.

 

[lsg1r]

if it is as 'fluid' as you say it sounds more like silt than clay to me, clays normally quite solid but 'sticky'. Clay can usually be moulded in your hand when it's damp.

Depending on where you live you could've hit the 'water level' or even found a leak in a pipe somewhere.

If it is as wet as you're describing you need to add in something to absorb the water like soil improver etc mentioned..