How can I improve the quality of soil in my garden? Mostly clay!!
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
How to get rid of termites?
Suggestions on how to get rid of termites naturally are appreciated however if there is only a chemical solution for these pests please share as well. Thank you!
How can I get rid of wireworms in my vegetable garden soil?
We rototilled our vegetable garden and found click bettles. Click bettles hatch into wireworms and live from 2-6 years, then turn into click bettles. Quite a cycle th... See more
https://www.thespruce.com/understanding-and-improving-clay-soil-2539857
Easiest way would be to use your existing soil as a base. Add 6-8 inches of topsoil on top before planting.
Amend your soil with something like Nature's Helper.
I have clay soil, too! It is VERY hard to work with. But this , works - work in small areas and mix the clay with equal parts of sand, bagged soil and peat moss. Mix well and it WILL start to break the clay down. Don't try to do the whole area at once - the clay is really difficult to mix all at once.
Add sand, composted manure, and peat moss.
that's a long process, involving deep-rooted plants used as cover crops (Alfalfa, red clover, and buckwheat, which is often tilled back in to the soil before it flowers and seeds are all classic choices) but you might want to look up hugelkultur, where woody material is buried at the bottom of a raised bed, accelerating the way nature builds soil.
Best method would be to get as much compost as you can and cover the area that you want to raise vegetables or flowers. Minimum of 4-5 inches, the more the better. If you can work this into the soil, then do this but cover with more and more compost. Grow vegetables in this. It takes years to improve clay soil. Do NOT work clay when wet, it will compact. Google "Hugekulture"; a method of using raised beds. In a small home garden, the layers of compost is easiest and over years will improve the clay soil. You can also use Gypsum to loosen the soil.
You may want to switch to gardening with grow pots. No need to worry about soil then.
http://www.finegardening.com/article/improving-clay-soils