The soil in my new vegetable garden has a high clay content. Should I amend it with sand, compost, or manure?

Answer 1

I would say all three .Plant roots need oxygen.Sand creates tiny pockets in the soil that hold oxygen.These tiny pockets also provide excellent drainage.Good drainage is a must for root development.Compost will hold necessary moisture while giving organic nutrients.Be careful with the manure.If the manure is too fresh you run the risk of burning your crop resulting in death.Try to get a load of aged manure.One way of knowing is to stick your hand in the pile. If it feels warm you will know that it is to young to use.The best way is to get a load and let it sit in a pile in a separate compost box for a couple of months turning it frequently until all the heat is gone from the pile.Some manure is hotter than others.Chicken manure although one of the best can be deadly so use it sparingly.Clay is useful in smaller quantities If you are really into it build yourself a 3ft. by 3ft.sifter out of 2x4's and one quarter inch hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is screen.Sift 10-15% of the clay out of the garden Depending on the size of your plot.This may be more information than you wanted Compost along with aged manure is the essence of healthy soil.Just be carefull of too hot manure.You can kill with kindness.Good luck .

Answer 2

You should mix in all the nutrient rich material you can like peat moss, sphagnum, leaf grow, compost or manure, etc or any combo you like. There are so many different soil conditioners to choose from. Your soil, for best results should look almost black. They even sell Garden Soil at Walmart with everything in it for us lazy gardeners. I turn over and mix down at least 6 inches. Your garden will grow but it might struggle so mix in as much as you can without disturbing what's already growing. The roots will find the nutrients. You can also water often with plant food to get down to the roots. Good Luck with your garden. It is a very rewarding hobby.

Answer 3

Sand will do nothing for the nutritional content of the soil. Manure will bring along unwanted weeds/plants. purchase a high quality compost.

Answer 4

Yes, Yes, NO. Till sand into the soil to break it up. Tilling in compost will help provide nutrients to the soil and after you have planted add another layer of compost. This layer will help keep the soil moist, prevent weeds from growing and will breakdown to be tilled into the soil next year.

Answer 5

My favorite soil to amend with is Natures Helper, alittle expanded slate, hen manure compost and a tiller! Hope this help's!!!!!

Answer 6

All the above would be my suggestion, as they each have different properties. For drainage, if enough clay is broken down, the sand would aid that process, while the other two would add nutrition as well as other organic substances to the soil. You might even try adding "Pearlite" to aid drainage. Though not organic, it's also not strictly toxic to soils.

Steven Wolf

Answer 7

compost, manure, leaf mold or dried grass clippings....sand adds nothing to the soil and affects water retention that you will need for veg.

Answer 8

Generally I'd say compost does the most for you, of the three.

Answer 9

That's a great idea!! And that should do the trick!! Seriously!! Smile!!

Answer 10

Any or all of this will help.