If you own a property there is a good chance you’ll find yourself digging n the garden at some point. There are many reasons why you may want to start digging. You may be interested in creating an inground pool, building a patio, or simply doing some gardening.
Once you realize the beauty of gardening you’ll quickly want to plant a variety of items and watch them grow. However, this can be complicated if you have clay soil.
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The Issue With Clay Soil
Clay is heavy and compact, which makes it hard work to dig. The particles are actually very fine but they are mineral not organic. That makes them sticky and leaves little room for drainage. In other words, it will quickly become waterlogged, that’s not good for many plants.
You’ll know if you have clay soil as it will stick to your shoes and tools like glue. It doesn’t get better in the summer when the clay dries out. This will result in dry soil with cracks in it. In fact, at this point, it is similar to rock, difficult to dig or do anything with.
Loosening Clay Soil
In order to loosen clay soil and make it better for growing plants, you need to add organic compounds. These can disperse amongst the inorganic material and improve the structure of the clay soil. It will drain better and offer more nutrition to plants.
The best materials are organic compost, composted leaves, and even gypsum. You’ll want to add a 3-6 inch layer of this compostable material to the top of your clay soil.
Then, you’ll need to mix this with the next 6 inches of soil. The easiest way to do this is to use rock augers. These are capable of drilling holes in rock. By creating multiple holes in the soil you’ll find it is easier to turn it over and successfully mix your clay soil with organic material.
The result is a looser bond between the elements, making clay soil easier to work with and better for plant growth.
It is advisable to add extra organic compounds every year.
You should also note that a rock auger can be used in the autumn to create holes in your clay soil. These holes can be left open to allow water, air, and additional nutrients into the soil. This helps it to remain easier to harvest and improves the soil year after year.
You should also add gypsum to the soil on a regular basis. It can prevent calcium deficiency in vegetables and this helps to prevent disease from setting into any plants you’re growing.
Final Thoughts
Clay soil is not the most desirable but it is very common. The best approach is to use patience and focus on specific areas first. This will allow you to create soil that is looser and easier to manipulate. At the same time, the above approach will ensure it has the organic material needed to help any plant grow.
