A better approach is to create a means for the topdressing to get down into the clay soil and integrate with it. Potatoes and some legumes will break up the soil. You build multiple layers as deep as possible and allow them to break down over time. This is another approach that, on its own, has limited benefit but when combined with other strategies can really make a difference in the quality of your clay soil. Depending on the hardness of the clay, you might have to go through You’ll see pictures of the results and exactly how I go about it. But how do you improve clay soil that already has a lawn growing in it? Unlike mechanical tillers, forks are more likely to preserve earthworms in the soil. Like many legume species, cowpeas (southern peas) have vigorous, dense, fibrous roots that break up clay soil. Unfortunately, when it comes to hard clay, there isn’t much you can do Essentially, what you are going to do is create a raised bed for your garden. Type above and press Enter to search. In the first season or two after adding organic material to the soil… Soil tillage radish is a great way to break through the hard pan and push biomass down into the soil. Of course, a till is going to be It is such a prolific nuisance that there are multiple sprays and chemical control... 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds. This adds extra plant matter that breaks down in the soil, adding more nutrition while breaking up soil clods. Clay Soil … 4. This tends to be the last option for individuals who live in an area full of clay because it stops the mineral-rich soil from interfering with the nutrition, texture, and drainage necessary for healthy plants. That will allow you to compound the benefits. It can be incredibly difficult to grow anything in clay soil because of its properties, and trying to amend the soil is a whole world of trouble in itself. If you do opt to do a cover crop, till it into the soil at the end of its growing season. Q. Super deep roots (up to 30ish feet) that get in and break up that clay, pull nutrients from down deep, and fix nitrogen from the air on top of it all. How to Break up Clay Soil. This site is a participant in affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates and earns from qualifying purchases. As an added benefit, deep soil integration also has the benefit of improving drainage in clay soil. What will break up clay soil? However, there is a way that you can still plant your plants on it, and have those plants get the nutrients that they need. Many years ago I used gypsum pellets to break up clay soil. While this isn’t always Next, you will want to consider the drainage and how much your plants are going to need. Not only that, but the reduced use of heavy farm machinery with the no till gardening method, decreases emissions of CO². This method uses layers of material, such as shredded black-and-white newspaper, compost, and coir. Bubble baths and shampoos. The Practical Planter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. that using a pickaxe provides better results. Want to know where else you will find this magic elixir? Otherwise, turning the soil will break up the clumps of clay, making it easier to mix in the other ingredients. You want to get the organic matter down into the clay so that it can begin to change the chemical and biological composition of your soil. But how do you improve clay soil that already has a lawn growing in it? matter just how finicky the soil beneath it is going to be. He knows exactly what the challenges are to nurturing a thriving yard in difficult soil. My name is Lisa, and I’m on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. All About Soil pH and Corrective Materials All plants have a preferred soil pH. They can be found at just about every garden store or building supply center, as they are incredibly common. Of the big three, clay contains the most nutrients and holds the utmost moisture. Throw the kitchen scraps in with some brown leaves or pine straw for carbon and cover it up. a till. Do with that as you will. If you do not have a garden bed frame yet, you don’t have to worry too much about finding one. Note: Soil aeration comes in a couple of flavors – spike aeration and core aeration. Clay soil will seem heavy and wet even if it hasn't been rained … It will still take time, but your results will be favorable much faster than any one of these soil improvement approaches would provide on their own. Everyone’s situation is different. I do not recommend spike aeration for clay soil. using a shovel or a pitchfork can produce the same effect without having to use We can not find them anymore but the problem of the hard packed clay soil still exists. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whether you’re breaking new ground or re- tilling existing areas, you should work clay soil a little at a time. The best way to improve and break up clay soil long term. Lush, colorful flower beds increase curb appeal while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Each of these on their own offers some level of benefit. Can I improve and break up clay soil myself? But don't break yourself doing what nature will do naturally for you if you'll just give it time. If you really want to improve your clay soil and are ready for something completely different than 99% of the people out there are doing, consider this approach to infusing your clay soil with organic matter. Click here for Paul’s author page. It won’t change your clay soil overnight but as a wetting agent it does exactly what it is designed to do. link to How to Keep Crabgrass Out of Flower Beds, link to 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds, read our article on exactly how I use this strategy to improve the clay soil in my yard, Improve Clay Soil for New Or Existing Lawns, Water Sits On Top Of Soil – Here’s Why & What To Do About It, Go around the area to be improved and apply. There is detailed information on this subject to be found online. By aerating and removing plugs of soil, you create pockets where the topdressing can be raked in. For softer clay soil, many people find that There You are better off not tilling clay soil than overtilling it, as overtilling is likely to cause damage that will last far longer when working with this soil type. Q. Rototilling soggy clay soil produces beds filled with clumps, which is not conducive to sowing seeds. In addition to core aeration, drill deep holes into your soil before you topdress. creating a raised bed. Protect your hands with a pair of gardening gloves. There is potential for benefit here but you have to consider that you are simply laying one layer over the other. Allow waterlogged soil to dry out before tilling. are still ways that you can amend the soil and create a bed for your plants, no When Improving Clay Soil Requires Extensive Dirt Work Sometimes fixing clay soil requires extensive work removing the surface soil and replacing it with quality topsoil. However, it is completely understandable if you want to grow something that is special to you instead. Putting in new topsoil in the spring and fall is going to be easiest for the plants, so it is important to monitor the changing of the seasons outside. How to Aerate without Tilling. That is, if you’re not a fan of no-dig gardens. Because clay soil can become compacted easily, place about 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) The unfortunate reality is that you cannot really amend clay soil, technically, without a tilling machine. Tilling releases CO² into the air, whereas if there was a rich organic soil layer, this carbon would be in the plant remains and thus retained in the soil. It simply means you have removed more clay and are allowing more organic matter into the ground. Using either a tiller or doing it by hand, you will need to dig to a depth of at least 8 inches and turn the soil over of the entire area you are working. Q. When combined, however, they represent a comprehensive no-till soil improvement strategy for your clay soil yard. I tend to be the crazy old man that tries radical experiments on my soil. How do you break up clay soil without tilling? If you really want to improve your clay soil and are ready for something completely different than 99% of the people out there are doing, consider this approach to infusing your clay soil with organic matter. They can grow healthily in clay, can grow alongside grass, and can attract bees to your yard. If you have an existing lawn that you are working with, mulching your grass is one of the simplest ways to improve clay soil. You will first want to establish the areas where you want to plant your plants. Crabgrass is an annoying, creeping, annual grass that can quickly invade lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. That is if you have a mower with this capability. How to Improve Clay Soil. How do you break up clay soil without tilling? Using a drainage pipe will help your garden get the levels it needs of moisture and other nutrients, keeping your plants both happy and healthy. Sow in the spring as a summer cover crop. Tree Bark. This is one of the benefits of tilling but, in our case, we want to avoid that. As nitrogen fixers, they enrich and enliven the soil. Tilling Clay Soil. Maybe so, but I know that anytime I am digging up that hard clay soil and replacing it with organic material I’m making steps in the right direction. Lasagna gardening is a no-till method for preparing soil and it helps to break down clay soil. Watering and digging most times will only result in it compacting again and killing the roots on any plants or grass you try to grow. ... Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. On the other hand, if you are working with hard clay, you might find Speaking of topsoil, this is the step where you begin applying that topsoil. So let’s look at what other options there are available to us. This is a critical part of improving clay soil. This can also be found at a number of garden stores and building supply stores. There is no way to till in organic matter down deep into and below the root zone without tilling up the lawn. I have over two acres to play with and so on any given Saturday morning, you can find me burying food scraps. Once it is dug up, use a hoe to break up any dirt clods until the area is relatively smooth. in terms of aerating it. To really understand what is going on in the ground of your yard, read What is Soil (And Why Does It Matter)? Before adding anything to the soil it needs to be loosened. I’m using most of these approaches in my own yard every year and I see the results with my own eyes as my clay soil yard improves. How to Break Down Clay Soil Fast: Time for a Raised Garden If nothing appears to be working, it is time to build a raised garden. Because you cannot till the land, you will want to add one extra step of care to working with your garden. Either way though, you are incorporating organic material into your soil and that will encourage bioactivity (microbes, etc) and your soil can begin to come alive as it should. How to Break up Clay Soil. We can not find them anymore but the problem of the hard packed clay soil still exists. All you need is a shovel and a few minutes of time. Super deep roots (up to 30ish feet) that get in and break up that clay, pull nutrients from down deep, and fix nitrogen from the air on top of it all. it to go places that you don’t really want it to go to. If you are going to need a fair amount of drainage to keep your plants happy, you might need to look at adding a French drainage system, using a specialized drainage pipe. Just save up your kitchen scraps that can be composted. Can I improve and break up clay soil myself? Mainly because it doesn’t require any extra work. Clay soil easily compacts, as we have said. This offers tremendous benefit over topdressing alone. Before adding anything to the soil it needs to be loosened. We have provided some important tips and advice to consider. This will prevent blisters from forming on your … There is detailed information on this subject to be found online. Planting alfalfa, lupine, radishes, burdock and the like with good, quick biomass producers like comfrey might do you well. Product recommendations not personally owned are based on the author’s knowledge of the company, product, reliability, and reputation. While it might not be the most enjoyable process, your patience will be well-rewarded with a prosperous garden. A: There are many other ways to do like topdressing, liquid aeration, deep soil integration, core aeration, grass mulching, dig and drop composting, etc. You can read more about how no till gardening sequests CO². Amazon has put together some great Home Holiday Guide Deals - save money and get your holiday shopping done! Press Esc to cancel. This method uses layers of material, such as shredded black-and-white newspaper, compost, and coir. A: Thorough composting and fertilization can loosen the soil and support easier tilling. However, without aggregates, soil pore space in high-clay soils is too small to allow air and water to move through the soil efficiently.” WEATHER CHALLENGED Doug Toussaint farms with his sons, Nick and Brad, in an area where 90-day corn reigns and long, windy winters give way to … If the organic matter has no way of penetrating into the clay soil, it can only help so much. Lawn care specialists typically use one of two methods. It’s as simple as that. How to Break Down Clay Soil Fast: Time for a Raised Garden If nothing appears to be working, it is time to build a raised garden. Of course, you should take into account the sun, shade, and all the resources that the plants will get. A: Thorough composting and fertilization can loosen the soil and support easier tilling. This will help prevent problems with applying the topsoil. Thriving Yard is a privately owned website. tools that can break up the clay, making it easier for you to amend the soil. The clay soil is at least six feet deep and can only be broken up with a pickaxe or power machinery. There is no question in my mind that you should include this in your soil improvement strategy. This will bring much needed aeration to the dirt and loosen up compacted areas that are generally hard to dig. The best way to improve and break up clay soil long term. It shouldn’t be relied on as your sole soil improvement strategy but it does have its place. of the chosen soil amendment on the soil and work it gently down into the soil about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.). Like many legume species, cowpeas (southern peas) have vigorous, dense, fibrous roots that break up clay soil. I do this all the time throughout my yard. Don’t overlook this soil improvement tool. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? First things first, you will want to remember that by adding a How soon can I plant in the improved clay soil. Thankfully, there are other ways that you can amend your clay soil without having to work with a till. But that doesn’t mean that it is of no value. Aerating Clay Soil Wait to aerate your soil until it’s completely wet or dry. These clovers have deep roots that can help break up the clay, and these plants can make their own nitrogen, helping themselves and the rest of your garden. You will need to test the pH of the soil, the pH of your water, and how long it takes for water to drain through the clay, if it even drains at all. Q. This tends to be the last option for individuals who live in an area full of clay because it stops the mineral-rich soil from interfering with the nutrition, texture, and drainage necessary for healthy plants. While each of these approaches will provide some level of benefit, to really improve your clay soil without tilling you need to combine these, using as many different ones as possible. You can use whatever soil your plants need to be your topsoil, while also working with amendment materials, compost, and other various gardening supplies. The active ingredient in the vast majority of liquid aeration products is Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. Never try to till clay soil when it is wet. In addition to core aeration, drill deep holes into your soil before you topdress. All About Soil pH and Corrective Materials All plants have a preferred soil pH. This would, by far, be the easiest and least time-consuming method of trying to amend clay soil. It allows the organic matter that you are spreading to get below the surface to encourage worm populations and biological activity that is necessary for a thriving yard. Lasagna gardening is a no-till method for preparing soil and it helps to break down clay soil. You really can improve your clay soil without tilling. Depending on your situation, you might not have the time, space, or energy to try and till the clay to improve it. How do you till a small garden without a tiller? Even if you’re on a small plot, chances are you’ll still want to till your soil. Compost is rich in plant nutrients. Allow the organic matter to fall into and fill the hole. My son says I bury my food like a dog . If you are a regular reader of this website you will know that I’m a big believer in this. With the above evidence of difficulty working with clay soil, you may be thinking of giving up now on your land. I’ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb. To break up the soil and improve it, you want to go down as far as you can. Time your tilling to a couple of days after rainfall, it will be less sticky. Where most people seem to report the least effectiveness is when they simply spread a topdressing of organic matter over their clay soil. Q. Since one of the biggest … With proven practices, amending clay soil without tilling is no longer a debate. Is there a different product that will solve this problem? Garden forks can be used to break up the top layers of soil. the most efficient way to get the job done, but there are many, many other I live in the south Midlands in the UK on heavy clay, so I have felt your pain. If you still want or need to break up the soil, there are a few ways Commercially available bark mulches are predominately by-products of fir, redwood, … There is no way to till in organic matter down deep into and below the root zone without tilling up the lawn. Planting alfalfa, lupine, radishes, burdock and the like with good, quick biomass producers like comfrey might do you well. Using either a tiller or doing it by hand, you will need to dig to a depth of at least 8 inches and turn the soil over of the entire area you are working. considerable amount of topsoil onto your garden and raising it, there’s a It’s on my shortlist of things to set up but for now, I’ve been using those grass clippings for some composting projects. There is no way to till in organic matter down deep into and below the root zone without tilling up the lawn. If you can break clay up to give it a looser quality, plants will benefit from the minerals contained in it. Is there a different product that will solve this problem? Q. This causes the soil to go into hard balls which are very hard to break up. Till up the soil as deeply as you can. Seriously, the same active ingredient in most liquid aeration solutions is found in your shampoo (source). You’ll have some leftover clay. Click Here to see the latest deals (link To Amazon). If you aren’t working in an existing lawn (or don’t mind digging up a little grass. What will break up clay soil? You are going to want to do this every single year that you are caring for the garden, for as long as you have the garden. They grow quickly to suppress weeds, and the flowers attract beneficial insects. an issue, this is a risk that you should be aware of when you are working on Here are the highlights but we’ll dig into each of these and show how they complement each other when used together. When you have a little time, dig a hole in an area you want to improve. All of these tests will help you determine what kind of plants can grow, what kind of amendments you are going to need for your soil, and just how inhospitable your clay soil really is. ... Reproduction in whole or in part without … Stop! You are drilling through the layer of clay and providing a means for water to leach through to better soil below. Tilling at the wrong time can actually make the soil more compacted and bad for your plant’s roots. chance that you might completely change the way that the water drains, causing This will completely remove the need for you to amend clay soil, and it might even get you to care for plants that you might not otherwise care for. Injecting air pockets into clay soil is essential for improving drainage, breaking up … You can get the latest pricing and options on liquid aerators available from Amazon by clicking here. The unfortunate reality is that you cannot really amend clay soil, technically, without a tilling machine. Some of the issues you may face when overworking clay soil are excessive clumping, hard-packed soil, and a few other problems that are a direct result of the clay-heavy composition. I’ll admit that it seems a little over the top. Before you amend the soil, you are going to want to take several tests first. For example, clay soils (generally more than 40 percent clay) are often poorly drained. Be sure to till at least a couple weeks before replanting to start the decomposition process. You build multiple layers as deep as possible and allow them to break down over time. You just mow as usual but instead of bagging your clippings or side discharging them, the mulching blade chews them up and throws them right back into the grass. Happy planting! They grow quickly to suppress weeds, and the flowers attract beneficial insects. By combining the different approaches in a logical way, we are creating a comprehensive process to improve the clay soil without tilling. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Get a full understanding of what this process is and how you can use it to improve the quality of your clay soil by reading the full article that I wrote on the topic. On its own, liquid aeration offers limited benefit. Tilling makes it easier to plant seeds and seedlings, you can turn compost and fertilizer into the soil, and till weeds and plants that have finished growing into the soil. Unlike corporate website companies, the authors on this website regularly use many of the tips and recommendations provided in their own garden and lawncare. How soon can I plant in the improved clay soil. The only real issue with it is that it cannot be removed from your yard without immense amounts of work once you have already planted it, so you should be absolutely certain about it before you begin putting the seeds down. This is where alternative methods come in handy. Step 3 - Add Compost for Plant Nutrition and Improved Soil Structure. The holes are slightly larger than core aeration but I do not consider that a negative. Clay soil is very heavy and dense. But like any good thing, too much clay causes problems. To learn more about the dig and drop composting method, read our article on exactly how I use this strategy to improve the clay soil in my yard.