Can top soil help a garden that is predominatly clay or is it folly due to the probable introduction of weeds?

Question

We have a community garden that suffers from weeds annually (regardless of how much weeding takes place) and is situated in an area where clay type soil is the norm. We are looking for ways to enrich the soil while eliminating weeds as much as possible.

Answer 1

All good suggestions, but there is no permanent fix for clay soil. I've been gardening in it for 30 years and if I don't rototill large quantities of organic material in the soil every year followed by plenty of organic mulch and compost, I produce building material instead of soil the next year.

Weeds will always be around. But, well-tilled soil with lots of regularly added organic material covered with a 2" layer of chopped up mulch and/or compost will keep weeds to a minimum.

The only problem with tilling so much organic material in the soil is that it tends to be low in nitrogen. So, you need to add that in the form or animal manure, preferably chicken or rabbit. If you use chicken, be sure to let it cool down for about a month after you till it in because it can burn young plants. You can add high-nitrogen chemical fertilizer, but if you do, you are likely to kill of a lot of beneficial soil bacteria and earthworms. They are a quick fix and retard the natural development of good soil.

You would think that adding sand would be a logical solution, but I've never seen a big change in my garden resulting from the addition of sand. Organic material is much more important than sand. Sand is heavier that clay and will "sink" during heavy rains. The organic material helps clay particles from binding together better than sand. Adding sand may help a little, but you still need to till and add organics. (By the way, don't use beach or river sand - particles are too small and they may contain a lot of salt. The best sand to use is called by some "green sand" and you get it from nursery supply houses.)

Finally, try not to walk on the part of the garden that you plan to plant in. Have pathways between rows are block areas by laying down boards or paving squares. Stepping on clay soil packs it down and causes crust to form, especially if it is wet or damp.

Good luck. And, if all else fails, consider making bricks for adobe housing projects.

Answer 2

There are three things you can do
1 - apply some gypsum to break up the clay
2 - use some topsoil and manures to give plant roots an easier job of moving in the soil.
3 - apply a thick layer of mulch to smother weed seeds.

Answer 3

chk with the power company's when they are cutting up trees in your area, have them drop a load of tree chips in your yard and get a yard or 2 of sand, spread generously and rototiller in thoroughly. top with your top soil and you have a nice garden prepped to grow anything.

Answer 4

best thing for you to do is purchase some pro mix from the garden center and mix it in with the clay in your garden it will do wonders for you if you use enough pro mix.