How to plant in clay soil?
by
Chuck Walker
+4
Where I lice the soil is hard packed clay about 4 inches down. Are there any plants that will survive in this soil. I've tried several and the survive for a short time but never more then a month. I just want some color in my yard.
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Hi Chuck, have you tried checking with a local nursery? Not a big box store like walmart but a truly locally owned mom and pop place. Whenever I need a specific plant in my yard I always go there first and simply ASK them and they've always steered me right.
How about raised bed gardening?
You could also go with potted plants, even burying the pots so that they look like they are plants in the ground. It is really hard to amend clay soil and not to have to frequently redo to keep the soil healthy.
You should try to remediate the clay by adding compost materials and some sand to loosen it up so the plant roots can move and grow.
You really need to dig it up, go down about 2 feet, refill with top soil, peat moss and cow manure mixed all together. You'll be glad you did.
Yes there are. I would call my local County Extension Office for indigenous plants.
you can also bury flower pots with amended soil & cover the edges with mulch.
Roses, especially climbing ones, tend to do well in clay.