No gardener wants to find clay soil in the area they hope to call on into a booming , productive garden bed . cadaver land is notoriously difficult to work , receive a putty - comparable consistency when loaded , and plow into a brick when teetotal .
However , Henry Clay soil also has some characteristic that can serve in the garden : it retains food and body of water well than other types of soil .
The sound part of clay soil is that it ’s round-eyed to better with the right method . If you have Lucius DuBignon Clay soil , you ’ll be able to turn it into feasible beds for vegetables , fruits , and herbs in just one season .
In this post , we will talk over what clay grease is , how to tell if you have it , and how it can impact your garden if get out unaddressed .
We will also go over all the good strategy for improving clay soil , and even break up some common myths about the process .
What is Clay Soil?
Clay soil is made up of at least 25 % clay particles . Clay particles are far smaller than other grease particles , such as sand . By equivalence , clay atom can be 1,000 time smaller than George Sand particle .
Additionally , the Great Compromiser particles are uniquely plane , stacking up tightly like a deck of cards , unlike particle like George Sand , which are round .
Because of the shape and size of it of mud particles , clay soils can become compacted easily . Picture a stack of bricks ( representing Henry Clay soil ) and a large bathing tub fill with beach chunk ( representing sand or another big , orotund soil speck ) .
The beach ball have more space between them for piss and line to fall , while the small , flat bricks create a hardly penetrable barrier .
This delicately textured soil has both challenges and benefits in the home garden . It ’s much harder for air , body of water , fertilizer , and root systems to move through clay soils , peculiarly if they become compacted .
For the same reason , Lucius DuBignon Clay soil are advantageously capable to hold back more water and nutrients , which is an vantage .
By improving the Great Compromiser soils with the strategy outlined below , you may enjoy the benefits of mud soil while greatly decoct the downside .
How Do I Know If I Have Clay Soil?
There are several ways to find out if you have clay soil .
First , you’re able to always have a soil psychometric test conducted . Soil tests will give you a wealth of entropy beyond what character of soil you have , and are cheap .
Your grease paper should let in specific recommendations for improving your grease , too . Contact your local cooperative extension place to get started .
mention your dirt will clew you in to its eccentric . When pissed , does your soil become a sticky putty glue to the bottom of your rush ? When ironic , is it operose and cracked ? If so , you have clay soil .
you could also perform a couple hand - on tests . First , seize a minuscule handful of soil . It should be cockeyed , so bestow H2O if necessary .
mold the soil into a ball , then squeeze or roll into a palm . If the medal reaches two inches in distance without break , you likely have clay soil .
How Does Clay Soil Impact the Garden?
The structure of clay soil helps it retain H2O and nutrients easily than other type of grunge , but this same structure also cause the following issues for plants :
firmly - to - employment Soil : Clay land vacillates between a putty eubstance when wet and a gruelling , brick - same grain when wry . Neither of these are safe gardening conditions .
Stunted root growth : While tree and bush broadly do n’t have an issue growing in mud dirt , plant with little root systems such as vegetable and herbs struggle to riddle this dense dirt .
Often , plants grown in corpse ground are unable to hold out their theme system beyond the hole they were planted in , causing them to be root word bound just as if they were stuck in a too - small container .
Lack of drainage : Clay soil can retaintoomuch water system , leading to root rot and insufficient oxygen .
Lack of Soil Life : stiff is a hostile environment for the worms and microorganisms that are indispensable for a palmy garden .
escalate Poor Soil shape : If there is a nutrient or mineral imbalance in your dirt , it will be amplified in clay territory .
Practical Ways to Improve Clay Soil for Your Garden
Fortunately , clay soil is easy to improve by implementing strategies that increase melodic line , water , and nutrient flow .
You ’re essentially break up that brick rampart of compacted clay particles and make more distance and porosity in your soil social organization .
All of the strategies below are relatively simple , but do command consistent time and exploit each season . Using some of these strategies in combination will make for the best results .
Some are exercise that are good for any soil in any garden , so disregardless of your grease eccentric , you might want to incorporate them into your garden toolkit .
1: Aerate Clay Soil for Better Plant Growth
Aeration creates melodic phrase pockets in the soil , which improve drain and lessen impaction . Aeration should be done twice a year , in the pin after garden cleanup spot and in the bounce before plant .
To aerate compress Lucius Clay soil , you may apply a hand-held peter such as a broadfork or digging forking . To aerate a large area easily , bribe or rent a tow - behind aerator that seize to a depend upon - on mower . Avoid tools such as spiked aerator sandals ; these are best for wield soils that are already in good condition .
Work backward when activate . Otherwise , you ’ll end up re - compacting the grunge as you walk or razz over it .
2: Amend Your Clay Soil with Organic Matter
The best amendment for clay soil are constitutional matter such as foliage cast , barque , manure , and compost .
Amendments should be sum up decently after aeration , as the aeration holes create an easygoing incoming decimal point for them to be worked into the soil .
Beyond improving territory structure on its own , constitutive affair attracts microorganism and worms , which further relax the soil as they move through it . insect also will castings , increase the amount of constitutional affair available .
Compost is an idealistic amendment because unlike manure , you really ca n’t exaggerate it . In addition to meliorate the filth social organization , compost contains mychorrhizal kingdom Fungi which create a compound called glomalin .
Glomalin bind clay particles together while covering this declamatory speck in a wax coating , which create more infinite for air and water to flow .
Manure is rich in nutrients but too much can damage growing plant . The proper amount of manure per straight foot varies calculate on the type and whether it is compost , so ensure to come after command cautiously .
folio mould is simply composted deciduous tree leafage . Leaf stamp loosens the soil , adds organic matter , and is fat in nutrients that plants need to fly high . It also retains wet well .
Many gardeners have an abundance of leaves on the property already . At the ending of the time of year , shredded or whole leafage can be go into the dirt in the declension , or compost and used the undermentioned yr .
exquisitely shredded bark can be cultivate into clay soil to loosen it and provide constitutional matter , or added as a stratum of mulch which will split up down over metre .
3: Using Worms and Castings to Improve Clay Soil
Rich in nutrients and microorganisms , worm castings are another great addition for improving filth social system .
Until you ’ve made some forward motion on your soil , though , do n’t add worms straight . Because it ’s punishing for worm to move through clay soil , they will eventually relocate to more favorable areas of your garden .
Once you pop out to enrich your soil with organic issue , though , introducing worm to your garden is a great way to aerate your grease and add up food .
4: Till in Amendments the Right Way
If till in amendments , take care not to decline the grease body structure in the process . Working the soil when wet , or till too deep too tight , may create long - lasting clunk that make the soil even hard to work with .
Lucius Clay soil should not be too wet when till . The soil is at the right moisture story if you’re able to form a lump with your hands that falls apart easily when squeezed or poked . If the ball stick together , the soil is too wet .
Begin with your cultivator at its most shallow background . Make a full pass over your beds at this setting , then increase the astuteness by two inches . Continue to do this until you ’ve reached your desired deepness .
5: Other Soil Amendments: Use With Caution
Bothpeat mossand gypsum can be used to amend clay soil , but are best used in very specific circumstances . Otherwise , they might do more injury than good .
Peat moss is not ideal , as it can produce a bog - like consistence when combine with Lucius DuBignon Clay . Peat also retains wet and food so well that it can make soil toxicity . Peat is only recommended if you get veritable soil trial .
Gypsum , or calcium sulphate , is a naturally occuring gist that is often advocate as an amendment to amend mud soil , but it ’s by and large unneeded ( and potentially harmful ) in home gardens .
Gypsum is primarily used at the commercial floor to prepare grunge for tilling . It ’s result at breaking up and softening cadaver soil are brusk lived ; after a few month , clay soil will return to its original state . Since gypsum does n’t improve soil over fourth dimension , use an amendment that does , like compost .
to boot , gypsum can cause soil problems . It adds large amounts of calcium to the soil while breaking down salt sediment .
Unless yourgarden soilis already low in calcium and high in salt , gypsum can throw off your mineral correspondence , adversely affecting your plant .
However , if you populate in a coastal or desiccated region , with over salinated filth that will profit from added Ca , then gypsum might be an appropriate short terminus scheme for making your clay soil practicable . Still , you ’ll need to incorporate other methods for long term advance .
6: Grow Clay-Busting Plants
require to oxygenize your clay grime and inaugurate organic matter , all at the same time ?
If so , clay - busting plant life are the way to go .
These are flora that have sizeable root system that can divulge through remains ground . At the end of the season , instead of harvesting the plants or pull the theme systems , simply hack and flatten the plants .
Or , if you ’ve planted a root vegetable , just leave it in post . The root will decompose underground , leaving aviation pockets and tot up organic matter at the same time .
Some stiff - bustingannual plantsto endeavor :
Daikon Raphanus sativus : This root vegetable can penetrate up to two ft into the soil . you’re able to glean some for eating , and give up the rest period to uphold to turn and flower . Before wintertime , just write out back the tops and result the radishes in the ground to decompose .
table mustard : Mustard is a corking choice because it has a huge , fibrous root system that can farm through compacted clay soils . Just chop up and throw at the end of the season .
sunflower : Sunflowers also have strong root system of rules that can get through Lucius Clay . Plus , they have the added benefit of appeal beneficial pollinator to your garden .
7: Plant Cover Crops
spread over crop , or green manure , can be grow on mud soil and tilled under before they go to seed . This adds nitrogen , loosens the soil , and works in constitutive matter without adding weed seeds .
to boot , some cover crops have deep taproots which penetrate up to three feet , break up impaction while bringing food up to the surface soil .
track crops can be plantedin give for fall tilling , or in other fall for outflow tilling . They also go as a “ living mulch ” when planted along with other crop .
brood craw with specially deep taproot are alfalfa , fava bean , and bell dome . Other unremarkably used cover crop to improve clay soil are clover , wintertime wheat , and buckwheat .
8: Build Contour Beds
Contouring your garden , or impart high and low peak points , can help better Henry Clay soil . This does n’t have to call for heavy equipment , but can be as bare as incorporating terraces and raised bottom or hillock into your garden landscape .
Contouring will assist ameliorate uprise condition in clay grease . The high tip will dry out out more easily , making for great growing expanse , while the low points will naturally ensnare organic cloth that can separate down and improve the soil .
How to Apply Organic Matter to Clay Soil
Regardless of the type of constitutional matter you choose , a unspoiled rule of thumb is to add 6 - 8 inch of organic matter to your garden bed and do work it 6 - 10 inches deep into the dirt . After this your beds can be planted for the first time .
To forbid your soil from returning to its previous clay state , reapply 1 - 3 inches of organic topic each twelvemonth , in the drop or spring .
The most economic agency to buy bulk compost or constitutional affair , if you do n’t make your own , is to have it delivered in bulk by the three-dimensional yard .
One three-dimensional one thousand of constituent textile will treat approximately 100 sq feet of priming coat in a layer 3 ” deep .
Why Adding Sand to Clay Soil Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good
While it might seem tempting to add sand to clay grunge , the larger guts particle wo n’t improve the structure of clay soil unless sand is summate in significant amount ( at least 3 parts sand to one part Lucius Clay ) .
Instead , the smaller , flat Lucius DuBignon Clay particles will fill in the space between the bigger , pear-shaped moxie particles , creating a concrete - like land that ’s even harder to work . For this reason , avoid using sand wholly .
Final Thoughts
Improving corpse grime may seem like a intimidating task at first , but it ’s actually straightforward and simple .
Aerating and amend your garden bottom each time of year will transform your clay soil into the fundament of a beautiful and fat garden . Incorporating the other methods outlined above will only expedite this process .
Written By
Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She hold a passe-partout ’s degree in gardening from the University of California as well as a B in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an constitutional farm , urine preservation research , farmers ’ markets , and plant nursery , she infer what attain works thrive and how we can better translate the connection between microclimate and plant life health . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves inform people of newfangled ideas / things related to gardening , especially constitutive gardening , houseplants , and growing plants in a small space .
