How to creat well drained soil?

Question

I am planning on putting in a cutting garden and was looking at some catalogues yesterday. All the flowers I was interested in needed well drained soil and I am pretty sure the area I will be planting in has pretty heavy clay soil.

I have heard that if you just dig out the clay and replace it with compost you create basically tubs that do not drain well. So I need to know how best to improve the drainage. I am looking to fit the area in Aug-Sept for planting in late Sept or Oct.

Answer 1

Yea, removing the clay helps, but what you really need to do it amend the soil. Remove some clay , till the area and then add compost, sand, dried leaf litter, dried grass clippings, manure, and then till again. You will need to do this for several years and eventually your clay soil will become beautiful healthy soil. I know because I live in OK and we are loaded with clay and that is what I do to my soil. You wouldn't even know that I started with clay if you saw my soil now. You'll need to continue to add compost and amendments to your soil yearly to keep it healthy. Good luck

Answer 2

I added bark to the top of my soil , as they rot the soil is enriched, and absorbs water for the plants, also I spade up the existing soil as deeply as I can with a round-point shovel. For every ten square feet of bed I pour on a two cubic foot bag of soil conditioner . On top goes two bags of Pavestone Paver Leveling Sand (available at home improvement stores). I also scatter a pint of garden lime and a half-bag of hen manure on the ten square foot site. My Mantis tiller makes short work of mixing it all together but, if the soil is moderately dry, a shovel is almost as fast.

I rake the bed smooth, stand back a minute to admire my handiwork and then drink some iced tea, secure in the knowledge that this PREPARED BED will be a happy home for anything I plant there

Answer 3

Yep, but instead of just adding your compost/organic mulch/topsoil, add a layer of rocks at the bottom of the ditch/holes you dig up, that way the clay doesn't mix with the soil you put into it......

IE, very much like planting a potted plant, you put rocks on the bottom to encourage the water drainage, so that it doesn't stagnate and create mold at the base of the plants......

Answer 4

roto till the soil, or turn it with a shovel, and mix sand and gravel into the earth. clay or not, you can create a fantastic draining bed with sand and gravel.

If the area is not too large, dig it up about 6-8 deep and line the base with gravel. then use a potting soil, sand, and earth mix to re fill the area.

Answer 5

yah the new soil might be the best way to go otherwise you'll be "treating" a lot more soil than that. I think vermiculite would give you the proper areation for your soil (ya know that styrofoam like stuff). thats my only idea. sorry i couldnt be of more help

Answer 6

Sounds like work. I think I think I'll just fill in the yard with desert rocks. Thanks.