Ive just moved into a new house and my soil is in quite good condition at the top but about a foot down it is very compacted and clayey. In order to get it into better condition, i know i need to add mulch and organic matter but do I mix this in with the clay or do I need to get rid of the clay all together?
2006-10-06 09:00:31 · 10 answers · asked by jackie t 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I do a lot of this type work. You're in better shape than most yards we deal with.
Mainly, it's 4" of good imported soil and the rest is native crap like rock and
clay. We quit doing anything special and our results have been the same.
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is to plant your plants high - as in, after you
take it out of the container, plant it about 4" above the level in the container.
This will allow the roots of the plants to breathe and not get trapped in watery conditions. There are exceptions - mainly with plants which need a higher
acidic growing environment. Also keep it mulched - very important! And put
down as much organic material as you can.
2006-10-06 10:48:03 · answer #1 · answered by wallyinsa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how much clay there is and how much you can spend on it. In old river beds and outlets, you may find a lot of clay going down feet and more. You are probably OK with a foot, unless the clay is making the topsoil too wet or impenetrable to deep roots. You can dig up some clay where you want to plant things that need the root space, or dig a hole through the clay. If water is the issue, you may need a "dry well," which will take the moisture away from the topsoil (you have to give it someplace to go away from your house).
You can find a geological map of your area that will tell you what's beneath you and how thick the layers are at the US Geologic Service.
2006-10-06 16:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also have clay soil.If it is a foot down that is o.k. Yes add mulch and organic matter each and every fall.You will never get rid of clay; it is impossible. But adding mulch helps a lot and you should not have any problems. Been there ,done that.
2006-10-09 10:13:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Garden Gypsum will loosen heavy clay soils and break surface crusts, making soils more permeable for plant roots and water. For a garden, use at the rate of 5 lbs. for 200 sq. ft, up to two times each year. Apply evenly, scratch in lightly, and then water well. These are the instructions on the back of a box of Lily Miller Garden Gypsum that I just bought today to loosen up the soil in my garden. Maybe it would help you with your clay soil.
2006-10-06 22:45:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to trench down about 2 feet to get rid of the clay in my yard, then I backfilled with a mix of humus, peat, sand and pulverized topsoil. the clay base kept the water from draining too fast and the loose top layer let the roots grow really well, My plants loved it. Its a LOT of work though so I only did it where I needed to plant a garden and stuff, not the whole yard.
2006-10-06 16:10:52 · answer #5 · answered by reesie271 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would mix a bit of sand in the clay and rototill the whole thing.
My 3 foot high beds have clay about foot down and there are rose bushes and ferns living happily that have been there for about 45 yrs.
2006-10-06 16:03:55 · answer #6 · answered by Dolphin lover 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a foot of good soil is pretty good.. i would leave the majority of the soil as it is.. for planting large plants, dig a hole, add some sand and liquid gypsum (breaks down clay) in the hole before planting.. then use really good soil to fill the hole after planting. the liquid gypsum is also good to just spray all over(will not harm plants) I just moved into the same conditions.. for my flower beds i have added more good soil, but for a lawn, a foot of good soil is fine. it really depends on what you want to do.. i always have a compost pile and i add that to my plants..
2006-10-07 10:06:32 · answer #7 · answered by c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What type of gardening are you doing to be planting a foot down? If you are laying sod, then typically you just need to add ammended top soil down, 1 yard equals 150 square feet of land, rototill it and your soil will be fine...
2006-10-07 17:47:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a lot of work. I mean, a lot! My yard also was hardpan, and we found sandy and also clayish soil with lots of rocks underneath. We tried, but it was impossible to do anything with it, so we built a berm(raised bed) on top of it with about 3 yards of good garden soil. Every year, we add compost to it, too. My plants are not complaining at all.
2006-10-06 16:27:59 · answer #9 · answered by Cosmos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say get rid of all of the clay. It might be a lot of work, but it will pay off in the long run. With new soil and all of them additives you will be alright.
2006-10-06 16:04:50 · answer #10 · answered by gus2222 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋