Silly me!

Try watering well and then covering the patch with a really thick mulch of compost or leaf mould or whatever you have, even potting compost. Then, plant into the mulch and by the time the roots have gone down into the affected soil the salt should have been diluted and washed away.

I've done just that, Hobbyhorse, so thanks for reinforcing my instinct. I dare say it will take some time for the effects to wear off so I might just leave things for the rest of the season and not risk wasting any more money... oh well, and I thought I was being so clever!

Yes was going to sugest watering as the other post.... I suppose if you keep watering (unless we have a lot of rain)...then it will eventualy wash the salt away...could you scrape some of the clay away and dispose of it...or maybe thats not an option...just a thought.

Perhaps I ought to be asking how NOT to have bright ideas in future!!! Lol!!!! I guess I will just have to be patient and hope that rain, watering, added compost and nature does the trick...pity, 'cos I lost several lovely new plants and they ain't cheap these days!!!

Well mollie, we usedsalt on our driveway in thewinter, and he who is always right swept it into the flower border, this summer I planted it with pelagoniums and diascia, they have bloomed as never before, funny old thing gardening isnt it