properly amending clay soil?
- Thread starter poplars
- Start date
poplars
Well-Known Member
I'd prefer not to use that because of the acidity it will add.. (since gypsum is hydrated calcium sulfate... the sulfate makes it acidic. not sure how acidic but I don't want to add too much that's for sure.)
I like the idea of digging out half of the soil.. that honestly seems like my best bet... I did till in lama shit into this already so I will be losing half of that but that's cheap and I can get more of it easily....
I don't think it would acidify it being bonded with calcium, BUT I could be wrong. I know Pro Mix has it as part of it's ingredients.
Anyways I have this little tuturial prepared long ago so I'll psted here for your consideration as your planing on digging out your topsoil anyways.
This is what's called the double dug raised bed method of gardening:
You dig out all your good topsoil and pile it off to the side of your hole or bed (onto a tarp or sheet of plastic)
Now you have your hardpan exposed. You get your hands on what's called a spading fork, (looks like a extra heavy duty small pitchfork) You drive that fork to the hilt into the hard pan, if you hit a rock move over a bit till you can sink it as deep as the fork will allow. You rock the fork a bit to loosen up that spot then move over a few inches and repeat until the entire bottom has been worked. You do not have to turn it over just loosen it. Sprinkle crushed gyproc over the top, about a handful to a square foot.
You then return your topsoil and amendments (a great time to blend them together) ontop of the subsoil.
This is reported to increase yield in a garden by up to 7 fold (I've never seen that kind of results)
Anyways I have this little tuturial prepared long ago so I'll psted here for your consideration as your planing on digging out your topsoil anyways.
This is what's called the double dug raised bed method of gardening:
You dig out all your good topsoil and pile it off to the side of your hole or bed (onto a tarp or sheet of plastic)
Now you have your hardpan exposed. You get your hands on what's called a spading fork, (looks like a extra heavy duty small pitchfork) You drive that fork to the hilt into the hard pan, if you hit a rock move over a bit till you can sink it as deep as the fork will allow. You rock the fork a bit to loosen up that spot then move over a few inches and repeat until the entire bottom has been worked. You do not have to turn it over just loosen it. Sprinkle crushed gyproc over the top, about a handful to a square foot.
You then return your topsoil and amendments (a great time to blend them together) ontop of the subsoil.
This is reported to increase yield in a garden by up to 7 fold (I've never seen that kind of results)
poplars
Well-Known Member
I don't know about using the pitch fork thing... I mean I have a rototiller.. th at's how I broke through the hard pan in the first place. I'd much rather do it like that...
there really isn't any good'topsoil' yet. there's tilled clay that I"ve added lama shit to, that's about it. there' are 3 feet deep holes, 12 of them, in the bed as well so they still get to go deep. it's tilled down about 10 inches.
poplars
Well-Known Member
thanks I'll keep a look out
sgt d
Well-Known Member
Yeah, what hic said. Tear that shit up, as deep and wide as you care to go. Set you up some kinda buffer at the bottom--local leaves and logs, greensand, what the hell ever, but put something down there. We have had plants die due to root rot, caused by standing water at the bottom of holes sitting there on the clay and not draining. Avoid this by following these smart fellas' advice.
And yeah, backfill it with the best dirt you can reasonably lay your hands on. We have a guy deliver ours in a dump truck, mixed to order. It sure doesn't cost us any more than buying in bags, and is way more convenient. If you have a service like that available in your area, I highly recommend it.
And yeah, backfill it with the best dirt you can reasonably lay your hands on. We have a guy deliver ours in a dump truck, mixed to order. It sure doesn't cost us any more than buying in bags, and is way more convenient. If you have a service like that available in your area, I highly recommend it.
BlackPeter
Active Member
I just amended a clay rich area near my house and it turned out well. Stripped topsoil off and dug into the clay a little deeper than normal to avoid root rot as Sgt D said. I mixed the topsoil with peat moss and your normal amendments and it looks great to me. I added a bit of lime just in case but it's my first grow. Can't wait to see how yours turns out!
BlackPeter
Active Member
I personally think that a small amount certainly won't hurt, i mean theres plenty of growth in the area so I don't think its some awful material. I kept a bit of it in just for the sake of mass - as long as its an airy mix and doesn't become dense under itself or with water you should be fine. I think 95% is a tad too conservative by my amateur observations, but don't hold it against me. It is a natural substance after all. The peat moss really loosened it up along with perlite of which it obviously wont separate itself from. So, as long as you add plenty of good things to it a decent amount of clay could help your case.
poplars
Well-Known Member
for sure, you're pretty insightful for a newb, I have a feeling you'll be an accomplished grower such as myself, all it really takes is that natural knack for it...
I'll keep like 10-15% of it.
BlackPeter
Active Member
My grandfather was big in horticulture and I think the gene skipped my father and went to me. I find it incredibly fascinating, and to be honest, a lot of it is intuitive. If you kind of 'put yourself in a plants shoes' for lack of a better term - and even have a cursory understanding of plant life its just too much fun.
Can't wait to toss info back and forth this summer poplars! I'm sure I'll have a slew of questions.
Can't wait to toss info back and forth this summer poplars! I'm sure I'll have a slew of questions.