You can get good soil from clay soil by incorporating large amounts of organic matter over time.
Clay soil is a nightmare for many gardeners because it is difficult to work with. Clay holds moisture, which can contribute to root rot in plants. This soil type is also easily compacted, which makes it difficult to turn with gardening equipment or to be aerated naturally by earthworms. If you are unfortunate enough to have a garden of clay soil, you can get good soil by improving the clay's aeration and increasing its permeability. With enough patience and effort, you can grow healthy plants in even the stickiest clay soil.
Instructions
1. Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic matter over the clay soil. Types of organic material you can use include bark, sawdust, leaves, manure, peat moss, compost and straw.
2. Work the organic matter into the clay soil with a garden tiller. Try to work it down through the top 7 inches of soil to provide maximum benefit for plants to be able to permeate the soil and spread their roots.
3. Spread an inch or two of sand over the soil and work it into the soil with a garden tiller. Sand can help to improve drainage, making clay easier to work with, but adding it before working in organic material may produce a soil comparable to cement.
4. Work gypsum into the clay soil if the soil is sodic, or alkali soil. Add lime if a soil test reveals that your clay soil is acidic.
5. Import earthworms into your soil to help break down the organic material and aerate the clay soil. Red wiggler worms are a common choice for composting, while nightcrawlers are another good choice because they will aerate the soil deep down.
6. Continue adding organic material to the soil and working it in with a tiller when you notice that the previous batch is decomposed. Making good soil from clay soil is an ongoing process that requires the addition of organic matter on a regular basis.
7. Incorporate decaying plants into the soil with a tiller after harvesting a garden on clay soil. Taking this step puts the organic material to work in your soil more quickly than waiting for them to decompose on the surface.
8. Import topsoil to incorporate in the soil if you require fast results and your clay soil is extremely poor or compacted.
Related posts
Working with clay soil is a challenge for any gardener.Clay soil presents a challenge for many gardeners. Difficult to work with, clay soil slows the growth and development of many garden plants a...
If you are trying to grow a garden with clay soil, then you have got your work cut out for you. The properties of clay soil are distinctive, and even a child can learn how the clay soil is differe...
If you have clay soil, condition it before planting in it.Clay soil has little organic matter and nutrients in it. To grow grass, flowers or vegetables, you'll need to condition the soil. Clay mak...
Clay soils present problems for rose gardeners. Heavy clay doesn't drain well and compacts easily, which can both starve the root system of oxygen. However, amending the soil with organic material...
Treat Clay SoilClay soil is a problem in the garden when growing vegetables, trees, or foliage. Clay compacts easily and can become waterlogged. This leaves little room for oxygen to get to the pl...
