Bad soil...

[Nikki]

RElandscaping
how do i improve my model clay soil?

[admin]

Adding compost improves both sandy and clay soil.

You'll never want to add sand to clay soil, because it turns it into a cement like substance!

But compost will definitely improve clay soil and make it more friable and easy to turn.

Here's an article from Fine Gardening magazine about improving clay soil.

[sakura]

Hmm, that's going to be tough. Clay's got good qualities: it retains moisture well, and is more nutrient rich than other soil types. However, because it compacts easily, it makes it difficult for most plants to grow because the roots can't spread out.

To treat your soil, start off with deciding how big you want your garden area to be. If you stick to a small patch or just a hole per plant, it's like you're doing pot gardening. Determine the scope of the garden and that's what you're going to treat.

You'll need to add about six to eight inches of organic matter to the entire bed of soil you want to use. Untreated grass clippings, compost, shredded leaves etc. You need to mix that with about six to twelve inches of soil. You can use a shovel to dig and mix, but if it's a bigger plot, a tiller works well. It'll take time for them to break down, and you'll need to add some more over the months so make sure the soil's quality improves.

[Luna]

Agree. The smaller particles of clay soil binds together more easily, removing air and making water harder to seep through to the plant root. Water also drains more slowly because of it. Lack of air is damaging to plants and other beneficial worms and organisms.

Definitely adding organic matter helps in improving clay soil and making it more amendable to planting. It pushes apart the soil's small particles. You can make use of the compost you have from your pile or bin, or buy some from your local gardening shop. Adding sand or grit is a short term solution compared to this, as it won't improve fertility or feed the soil-dwelling creatures that'll help your soil.

[honeylemon]

Others would still even suggest adding sand to clay soil but not the type of regular sand but the one that is used for making concrete or the "sharp sand". Does this kind of sand really improves the sticky clay?

[cococrab]

Words of caution from a Landscaper:

I've used a far bit of sharp sand in my days as a Landscaper and it's very variable stuff. Builders sharp sand is graded, but batches vary considerably even in the same delivery. The thing to watch for is not just grain size but chemical content - sharp sand can contain a lot of salt even if its been washed. Don't forget that if it is washed (and I've handled some pretty dirty stuff in my time that was supposed to be washed) it will be washed for building purposes not horticultural. The likelihood is that it would be OK but if the sand affects your plants you won't have any comeback.

[cococrab]

Better to add oodles of organic matter.. Composted bark seems specially effective....
hey Nikki, how's your landscaping done?