I’d recommend planting some perennials and shrubs that are flood tolerant in the area. Over time they’ll do most of the work of breaking up the soil. If you keep adding manure and mulch around them they’ll work that into the soil too. With the help of beneficial fungi, earthworms, etc of course. That’s how I’ve improved my compacted clay soil. It’s all clay too. After a couple years of this, the soil has much more organic material and is far easier to dig. If it’s easier to dig then it’s also easier for the roots to expand in. I’m starting a new area that I have to replicate the process on. This time I’m adding some annuals too. Sunflowers, daikon radish, cow peas and squash. The squash will act as a natural mulch if it grows thickly enough. Granted... I’m trying to avoid mowing and I don’t have to deal with flooding. Rain garden plant lists are great for finding plants that can take inundation, but don’t always need to be wet.
