How to Make Clay Soil Suitable for Gardening

One of the most important ingredients to a good garden is good soil. Unfortunately, many people have only clay to work with, and clay is not very suitable to growing anything. Improving clay soil is an arduous undertaking, but the end product--a healthy, productive garden--is well worth the effort.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pitchfork or rototiller
• Organic material such as compost or peat moss
• Gypsum (optional)

1. Break up clayey soil in the area that you are planning to use for your garden. If the clay is soft enough, use a pitchfork. If necessary, use a rototiller to cut through tough grass roots. Dig deeply to provide enough room for the root systems to grow and expand.

2. Spread an even layer of organic material--compost, peat moss or manure--over the clay. Compost is made from kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves and other vegetable matter. Peat moss can be purchased in large blocks from garden stores. Manure can often be obtained free from horse or dairy farms.

3. Use a pitchfork to thoroughly mix the layer into the clay. Ensure that there are no distinct clumps or layers. This is perhaps the most important step in making clay soil suitable for gardening. The organic material provides the nutrients and the aeration that clay soil lacks.

4. Add gypsum if desired. Gypsum is a mineral that increases the fertility of the soil and can help reduce some chemical imbalances, such as excess salt. In some cases, it can actually loosen clay in smaller granules. It should be applied every four to six months.

Tips & Warnings

• Adding coarse sand can improve drainage if your clay is particularly water-retentive.
• Using a rototiller on softer soil actually compacts the layer of dirt directly beneath the tines, creating a blockage for growing roots. Only use it if necessary to break up tough grass roots or rock-hard clay.
• Walk on your prepared ground as little as possible. Any weight on the soil compacts it and can ruin hours of hard work.

References

• Clay Soils
• Urban Soil Problems

Resources

• Working With Clay Soils