How do I deal with my problem garden and lawn which has clay soil?

Gypsum aerates the soil.

Find a farmer who has aged manure and dig it into the garden. Clay soil has all the minerals, etc. you want, as long as it is aerated. Soapy water also breaks up clay soil. When you mow your lawn, I would leave the grass clippings on the lawn as they will decompose and help the soil. I would never use chemicals as there are so many natural safe organic sources. For fertilizer, dig in Espoma fertillizer, it is natural and when warm days come, it starts working.

Wish you the best.

Yes - use additives. In addition, contact your County Ag. Extension Office. They have inexpensive Soil Tests to let you know just what needs to be added to your soil rather than going for a commercial mix made to cover a lot clay soil in all areas of the country. They also know so much about gardening and are really supportive and helpful.

You can add sand and dig it through, add compost, add dried leaves..really work anything organic you can get into the soil. It all helps. If it is rock hard when dry, I would pull on my boots and go work it through while it’s mushy.

In addition to plenty of composted manure, add sphagnum peat moss, perlite, some lime if needed (helps dry up the area and eventually raises soil pH), add glauconate greensand rather than gypsum, if you're located East of the Mississippi River (gypsum is preferred in the West).