Cardboard boxes with holes cut in the bottom. They decompose right along with the compost lol. I think longy recommends them but I don't remember so good.
+++++++++++++++++
LOL TKH. You remember too well.
Here's a foto nasturnium to give you the idea.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/m.longstaff/turned_brew.jpg Use the garden fork (in the foto) to give you an idea of the size of the box. It's about a cubic metre in volume.
Gypsum is the clay-breaker. It works. However, there is no better fix for any soil than the addition of bulk organic matter. Frankly the best lawn for me is buried under 12 inches of poo and compost and mulch and turned into a garden...... but that's just me:)
Which brings me to your next query:
"In the northern bald patch where it's shaded and damp I have been thinking maybe ferns will work if grass doesn't? Or am I naive and just wishing something would grow? LOL"
No! Your not naive, You're exactly right. There are
plants which have adapted to
growing on rocks on the sides of mountains at temperastures less than freezing. There are
plants which have adapted to grow underwater. Others grow on the lip of volcanos. The question isn't how to change the environment to grow what we already know, it's what can we grow which is suitable to the environment we already have. Keep thinking along the shade loving
plants which like poor drainage. Probably not ferns as they generally like good drainage but there are lots of
plants that can tolerate the conditions you describe. Go on. Pursue the line of thought. You'll be amazed at how easy it can be.