>>1328602Hard to tell exactly what is going on because the ground is covered by weed fabric. When I started watering, but before it got so dry, I had to go slowly because I too am heavy clay on a hilly land. But now I think the top 10cm is so cracked it just goes straight down before it can run off.
Pic is from one of my apple trees where I lifted the fabric to have a look. Tree itself is doing well regardless of how bad the ground looks.
