DO you have problems growing things in clay dirt?

Question

WHAT do you do to make the soil better?

Answer 1

Cow poop

Answer 2

I have great luck with my clay dirt. That's the only type of garden dirt that I've worked with since I was a kid.

The thing you want to do first and formost is add organic matter to your dirt. That can be done a number of different ways. The way I do it is by adding a bunch of rabbit manure to my garden. You can use any kind of manure, but I like rabbit manure the best. For most manures, wait till fall to add the manure. Rabbit manure is the only one that I'd suggest to use during the summer. Most manures are high in acidity and can burn your plants if put on while the plants are growing, especially chicken manure. Rabbit manure is very low in acidity, high in nitrogen, and it doesn't carry weed seeds like cow or horse manure do. You'll know the manure is working when your plants start greening up. Also you'll definitely know it after a year or two when the ground starts slowly turning a darker color and finally turns a black color. The more organic matter your garden has, the more black the soil will be and the more easy it will till. Another way you can add organic matter is by planting ANNUAL ryegrass in the fall. The ANNUAL ryegrass will cover the entire garden and the shade from it will help keep weed seeds from growing in your garden next year. In the early spring till it into the ground so that it can decompose some by the time you start planting. Notice that I stressed ANNUAL. Don't use perennial ryegrass, perennial ryegrass will come back year after year and act like a weed. Annual ryegrass will die after winter and won't come back. Another way is by tilling dry leaves into your garden. That can be done about any time of year. Or you can add compost or garden topsoil to your garden.

After adding organic matter you can add gypsum to the soil. Gypsum helps break up the clay and make it easier to work. This is an old trick that many master gardeners use. It also helps get rid of the spots on a lawn caused by dog urine.

Finally, if you want, you can add a little sand. Sand can help the drainage of clay dirt. However, I don't recommend adding all that much. Sand doesn't have the CEC value that soil with organic matter (loam) has or that clay has. The higher the CEC value is the more water and more nutrients your soil can hold. Sand can't hold water or nutrients like either loam or clay can. So only use a little bit of it to get slightly better drainage. You probably will find that after the amount of organic matter in the soil is increased and after adding gypsum that you have no need to add sand.

Answer 3

Clay soil is one of the most difficult conditions a gardener can face. Dense and slippery when wet, it's even more of a challenge as it bakes brick solid when dry. Clay particles are extremely small and tend to pack together, leaving no room for air or water movement.

The first order of business here is to improve the texture of the soil with organic matter. This will be an ongoing process, but the benefits will pay off in the long run. Generously amending or top dressing with compost, leaf mold, composted manure, good top soil or other organic matter will gradually bulk up the texture of your soil, lessening the compaction. The good news is that clay tends to be much higher in nutrients than a sandy soil.

Answer 4

A lot of good advise above me.
I not sure how much area you intend to do, but, when I did large areas I use a post hole digger to make the flower holes and used Potting Soil and sometimes that Miracle-Grow (Spelling?) potting soil. Make the holes generous and do not skimp on the Good Stuff. I covered everything with a 4 inch layer of Hardwood Mulch. Threw some Earth Worms in around some of the bigger plants. When I added new plants I do my hole and fill with potting soil. Never had a problem and for a large area this, to myself, is not hard to do.

Answer 5

I did before I leaned about incorporating organic matter.. compost, potting soil, bark, sphagnum peat are all good for improving clay. you need to spade or rototill the organics into the clay. This helps change the clay into more friable soil.

Further, I use garden gypsum. It helps break up the clay electrolytically.. great stuff, but the soil needs organic content to encourage microbiotic activity.. life.. for the clay.

Answer 6

I have the same here in the midwest! Before i plant i get plenty of gardensoil and mix it under to give the plants better conditions to grow . If you do that everytime you plant , you won't have many problems growing things. Add an extra layer of mulch to it

Answer 7

you can add some top soil you buy from a Garden Center

Answer 8

i was told sharp sand and top soil but i did it and now i have a lovely garden full of flowers (not a gardener didn't have a clue )

Answer 9

Add compost.