2006-06-28 01:25:47 · 7 answers · asked by ladybug 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
The only real way to amend clay soils is to incorporate compost and/or gypsum. If using gypsum (which is 80-90% calcium), make sure it is a horticultural grade. You can find it at most nurseries. When using compost, make sure it is from a reputable source. Compost that is not completely finished breaking down can rob nutrients, namely nitrogen, from your soil and plants, but it can also burn the roots of plants as compost makes heat and alot of it as it breaks down. You should be able to plunge your hand into the pile and not get burned, but warmth is natural. Also, the compost should smell 'sweet' and not stink or generally smell foul. Incorporating raw sawdust or wood chips is a big no no. It will rob the soil of nutrients and could have unwanted chemicals. Wood chips or bark on top of the soil is perfectly acceptable and encouraged. It will help with maintaining soil moisture and keep weeds to a minimum.
2006-06-28 03:34:12 · answer #1 · answered by Jason 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We added sawdust or small wood chips and a little sand and manure to our old garden that had lots of clay in the soil. We also put a layer of sawdust on and around our trees and which ever plants we planned on wintering outside to keep them from freezing to hard.
2006-06-28 02:11:34 · answer #2 · answered by AmlZ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can put mulch around each plant and kinda scratch it in. We've done that. I wouldnt amend between the rows right now cause you really don't want anything growing there. Wait til fall to amend the entire thing and maybe plant a cover crop like alfalfa or clover. Growing little green peas in early fall is really good for the dirt. After picking til in the greenery.
2006-06-28 02:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by Mache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what you are planting.
If you are planting annuals ,just dig a hole the size of a normal pot(12" wide and about 12" deep)
put your new soil in that hole and plant .
Your new planting will do fine.
Also try adding earthworms to your soil they did a nice job for me
2006-06-28 01:40:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use cheap non clump kitty litter as well as vermiculte, litter is same but cheaper. You would have to just slowly work it in when you turn your soil in the spring or Fall.
2006-07-02 21:21:03 · answer #5 · answered by Donna1957 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try adding sand or clean ash(ash without chemicals), it worked on the clay in my garden.
2006-06-28 01:35:05 · answer #6 · answered by frkat006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add peat moss and till it in thoroughly. Keep adding it until you get the right consistency.
2006-06-28 01:30:09 · answer #7 · answered by lunatic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋