From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Fremont, California

for the some of us who didnt get lucky this year, does anyone know how to loosen clay soils, and what amendements would make a good soil for next year?

9/29/2005 8:11:52 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Organic matter and gypsum. I'll take your clay, I need to add some cause my organic matter is over 30%.

9/29/2005 8:38:54 PM

Fremont, California

i mean like its really thick mud. part of it im still digging out ouf the lawn. also, is cormeal a good amendment?

9/29/2005 8:41:07 PM

Montoursville, PA

Corn meal is good stuff. It is a good fungi ballance builder and gives you a little nitrogen as it breaks down. You need about 20 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. After adding corn meal for two or three years cut the application in half.

I would use lots of manures and a cover crop. I know it is common practice, to toss on, more and more gypsum. I disagree with the practice. Your manures and the worms it supports will do as well if not better than gypsum, to lessen your clay problems and build a better soil structure.

9/29/2005 8:57:27 PM

Phoenix, AZ

OM all the way. It loosened up my hard packed clay when nothing else would (like, I gotta use a pick). Gypsum helped some, but OM was what did it. Just keep adding.

9/29/2005 9:01:35 PM

Fremont, California

mmk now what about alfalfa meal?

9/29/2005 9:06:59 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

dashbarr,
I would research broadforks, and see if the might be the ticket for you. These are more used in Europe, I've read(any Europeans care to chime in?).
They are used to loosen and aerate the soil. I've seen them listed with tines from 9.25" to 14" long.
I'm thinking of getting one myself, although I have a lighter soil.
If you need me to give you some websites to look at(with braodforks), let me know.

9/29/2005 9:26:17 PM

Fremont, California

Are thaey attachments to a tiller, because i dont have one.

9/29/2005 9:37:52 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

It's a two handled metal fork. I think they are about 2 ft. wide, with about 6-7 tines to the fork. It's a manual fork, that loosens the soil. I've seen them listed for a little over $100 to $200.

9/29/2005 10:58:47 PM

Puyallup, WA

You better weigh at least 200lb. if you expect to get that fork very far into the hard clay soil!

9/29/2005 11:22:30 PM

Sydney, Australia

Build raised beds, and fill with good soil, compost and manure. Works for me! Ben

9/30/2005 6:46:19 AM

South Western Pa

Don'OD with the gypsum, like I did. You can get too much calcium in the soil, like I did. If I could do it over I would stick with the organic matter.

Also avoid mushroom compost, it's loaded with limestone.

Just my opinion based on my mistakes.

Mark

9/30/2005 10:42:38 AM

South Western Pa

I meant to say in the first sentece of the last post. Don't Over Dose your patch with gypsum. Sorry about the typo.

Mark

9/30/2005 10:43:50 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

If it is as muddy as you say, drainage is needed. The raised beds is an excellent suggestion. I use tht on my silty creek bottom garden that is a little wet in the spring and it helps a lot.

9/30/2005 1:15:02 PM