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Posted: Dec/10/2008 3:30 PM PST
Hi, everyone. We live in Virginia (moved here from NJ) and have trouble working in the hard clay soil here. I'd like to start with a small raised bed with annuals next Spring. Can I just fill the bed with something like Miracle Gro Garden Soil alone or should the native soil be mixed in? Sooner or later I would love to afford a small tiller and try turning the soil up for a larger garden area but I don't know much about working with this type of soil. Help, please! Thanks. |
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Posted: Dec/11/2008 7:22 AM PST
Don't know about your area but a friend has clay and he mixes, 1 bag top soil, some shredded paper, oak leaves and some cow manure he chops all up and digs a hole with post hole diggers where he wants his plant and fills the hole. He plants the plant or seed, then spreads about 3" soil and mulch around the top area after the plants start to grow. He always does well, he now uses a tiller but the garden looks the same? go figure. Also check with a local feed store there may be someone with a tractor/tiller in your area that does small garden plots cheap, Later Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Dec/11/2008 8:59 AM PST
Clay soil is a beast. I'm not sure about VA clay, but NC clay is red and VERY brick-like when it's dry. I mean HARD. When it's wet, it is like glue. The good news is, it does retain water, it's acidic, and LOTS of lovely plants like acid soil, like azaleas/rhodies, and other flowering shrubs. We came here from OH, which also has clay soil, but it's a gray clay, and it's actually easier to work with. Here in NC, we mix in composted leaves, peat, sand. The trouble is the MIXING. The clay clumps so badly it's difficult to make a homogenous soil. If you use a tiller, it better be HEAVY DUTY, no kidding! The raised bed is the BEST idea, but I wouldn't use all Miracle Grow or the like either, but I would add it. 
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Posted: Dec/11/2008 12:30 PM PST
Leaves are the best for breaking up clay soil. Chopped leaves are better than whole leaves, and composted leaves are better than fresh. |
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Posted: Dec/15/2008 5:48 PM PST
Hey, Stereoman. I've heard about the leaves trick. I do notice in the woodsy part of our property that the soil under all those leaves seems pretty nice and dark and a little easier to work. Mostly though the good stuff doesn't go too far down. But it sure looks better than the raw stuff!  Thanks. |
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Posted: Dec/15/2008 5:51 PM PST
Hey, Guilt trip! Thanks for the feedback. I know I have tried adding some Miracle-gro into the plant holes where I planted some daylilies and they did do pretty well there. I keep it well mulched too. Thanks again. |
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Posted: Dec/15/2008 5:57 PM PST
Hey LynnieNC! So you can relate to our dilemma! You described our soil to the "T". I think I will stick with raised beds for awhile. WHEN we have a front yard (we just started building our house) I sure would like some rhodos there. Have no experience with too many shrubs but would love to give them a try. Thanks. Jackie
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Posted: Dec/17/2008 7:50 AM PST
Quote: Originally posted by dirtwitch Hey, Stereoman. I've heard about the leaves trick. I do notice in the woodsy part of our property that the soil under all those leaves seems pretty nice and dark and a little easier to work. Mostly though the good stuff doesn't go too far down. But it sure looks better than the raw stuff! Thanks. 'Tis true, 'tis true. Mother Nature doesn't mix the leaves into the soil the way we can. So she ends up with a layer of leaves on top of a layer of loam on top of the clay. Perfect conditions for growing new trees. Go figure, huh? 
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Posted: Dec/17/2008 7:28 PM PST
a common solution we use here in Houston (we have extreme clay!) is to blend in river sand. It makes the soil much looser and is fairly permanent. it doesn't add any nutrients buy helps it drain better (which is a huge problem here!) |
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Posted: Dec/19/2008 10:37 PM PST
If we do use the sand, any suggestions as to what nutrients would we have to add to make the soil useful and healthier? Would compost be good? I'd like to use organic solutions but don't know anything about it. |
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