poor backyard dirt :/?

Question

So like we moved into a new home, and I'm really into planting things like trees and fruit and stuff, but the dirt in our backyard is very poor. It's weird like clay or something, when it gets wet is all gummy and the water doesn't get very far down. When its dry which it usually is, its hard like a rock and I'm sure it's not good dirt for plants :/ What kinda of dirt is this though ? And what can I do to make it like not suck so much ?

Answer 1

It's clay soil and these thing will help
1.compost,
2.gypsum
Gypsum Helps Recondition Clay And Hardpan Type Soils
http://www.humeseeds.com/gypsum.htm
3.mulch
4.sand
The gypsum is a very quick help but really needs the compost to be added as well.
It's extremely important to have good drainage and the clay just wont have it.

Answer 2

apply 4' to 6' of compost spring and fall. don't till it in as there is no need to do that and tilling maims the microherd in your soil anyway so they cannot do their job of feeding plants.

It will take you several years to really improve your soil but you should see a huge improvement after just a few months after your first compost application.

Before adding anything else I would get a good soil test (something that tells you more than NPK and pH). Do not buy an in home soil test as those are wildly inaccurate and a waste of money

Answer 3

That is clay soil.

Till in a lot of mulch.

Answer 4

clay! I suggest raised beds.