The soil in my yard is mostly clay! How can I make it better?

I want to grow flowers in my flower beds, but I have very bad luck. Nothing seeems to flourish because of the soil. What would be the best way to help it?

  10 answers
  • Sky24600606 Sky24600606 on Sep 25, 2017

    You have to improve the soil. Add 3-5" of compost to your flower beds every year. I use the bags from Walmart or Lowe's. Till it in to about 5" deep and after a while you'll have the most beautiful flowers in town.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 25, 2017

    Add Sand and Grit..........

  • Kathy Haines Cramer Kathy Haines Cramer on Sep 25, 2017

    B u y compost, and/ or compost all of your vegan kitchen waste. Dig it into your soil. Keep adding, from coffee grounds to that slimy old lettuce. Just keep adding. It will take a while....

  • Barbara Lewko Barbara Lewko on Sep 25, 2017

    Add peat moss can buy it in the bale or add mulch (leaves)

  • Meanjean Meanjean on Sep 25, 2017

    Use containers to plant in

  • William William on Sep 25, 2017

    You need to till the clay with soil, compost, and peat moss. Either rototil it or dig it in with a pitchfork and shovel.

  • Thanks for all your suggestions! I'lol try & see how things go😊

  • Kym Kym on Sep 25, 2017

    Amend it with peat moss, mix in some good gardening soil with gypsum to help break up the clay bunches. I added coffee grounds to mine too and it's worked out really well so far. Clear the flower beds, and using a hoe or shovel dig a few rows the length of the bed. Add peat moss and the soil along the side of the rows, let the clay dry out for the day, then go back the next day and using your shovel fold in the peat and soil. Break up the big clumps and keep mixing like you're making a huge batch of cookies....you'll get there! If you do this for a couple days you'll get down about 18" and not break your back by letting the clay dry out before trying to mix it. Good luck!

  • Connie Hillyer Horn Connie Hillyer Horn on Sep 26, 2017

    Something I just found that makes digging in clay or rocky soil a breeze, is the Spear Head Shovel. Lightweight - so good for a woman to use. Little price so I debated getting it. WORTH. EVERY. PENNY!