Posted by Tony Pacc on June 28, 2006, 9:35 am
The previous owner made a flower bed of mostly clay soil,it has about 2"
mulch,is there any way I can improve this soil without removing all that
mulch,like putting manure on top of the mulch hoping it will work it's way
into the soil.Its a pretty large area if I have to remove all that mulch.
Posted by John McGaw on June 28, 2006, 10:02 am
Tony Pacc wrote:
> The previous owner made a flower bed of mostly clay soil,it has about 2"
> mulch,is there any way I can improve this soil without removing all that
> mulch,like putting manure on top of the mulch hoping it will work it's way
> into the soil.Its a pretty large area if I have to remove all that mulch.
>
>
If the mulch that is already there is either fine or is coarse and
already starting to break down I'd simply turn it over and mix it into
the soil as deeply as I could. In fact, that quantity probably isn't
sufficient if the clay is as nasty as my local sort -- add several more
inches of compost to the existing mulch and turn that over. In my
experience it can take a huge quantity of organic material amendment to
improve clay. I've even resorted to adding perlite to lighten the
heaviest sort. Of course you'll need to replace the mulch on top after
planting.
--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com
Posted by limey on June 28, 2006, 10:31 am
"John McGaw" wrote :
> Tony Pacc wrote:
>> The previous owner made a flower bed of mostly clay soil,it has about 2"
>> mulch,is there any way I can improve this soil without removing all that
>> mulch,like putting manure on top of the mulch hoping it will work it's
>> way
>> into the soil.Its a pretty large area if I have to remove all that mulch.
>>
> If the mulch that is already there is either fine or is coarse and already
> starting to break down I'd simply turn it over and mix it into the soil as
> deeply as I could. In fact, that quantity probably isn't sufficient if the
> clay is as nasty as my local sort -- add several more inches of compost to
> the existing mulch and turn that over. In my experience it can take a huge
> quantity of organic material amendment to improve clay. I've even resorted
> to adding perlite to lighten the heaviest sort. Of course you'll need to
> replace the mulch on top after planting.
> John McGaw
I agree with John. We have heavy clay of the worst kind - gray, streaked
with blue. Ghastly stuff. We turn the mulch in every year, add compost,
even peat moss. It takes time, but you really can build up the soil. Our
flower beds now are great, with easily turned soil. Just have patience and
keep it up.
Dora
Posted by Mindful on June 28, 2006, 10:49 am
> The previous owner made a flower bed of mostly clay soil,it has about 2"
> mulch,is there any way I can improve this soil without removing all that
> mulch,like putting manure on top of the mulch hoping it will work it's way
> into the soil.Its a pretty large area if I have to remove all that mulch.
It will improve the soil much faster if you dig the mulch in to at least a
foot deep. Mix it well with the soil. Adding some peatmoss and sand will
help loosen the clay. Adding rotted manure or compost from stores like Home
Depot will make a difference. Our soil is a heavy red clay. After 13 years
of adding organic matter to the flower beds and veggie patch you would never
know it.
Posted by nblomgren on June 28, 2006, 11:05 am
wrote:
>> The previous owner made a flower bed of mostly clay soil,it has about 2"
>> mulch,is there any way I can improve this soil without removing all that
>> mulch,like putting manure on top of the mulch hoping it will work it's way
>> into the soil.Its a pretty large area if I have to remove all that mulch.
>>
>>
>It will improve the soil much faster if you dig the mulch in to at least a
>foot deep. Mix it well with the soil. Adding some peatmoss and sand will
>help loosen the clay. Adding rotted manure or compost from stores like Home
>Depot will make a difference. Our soil is a heavy red clay. After 13 years
>of adding organic matter to the flower beds and veggie patch you would never
>know it.
Yep. We had heavy clay soil that I first mistook for concrete :)
It took a couple of years, but after adding soil conditioner, peat
moss, compost, and just about anything organic (even gutter crud), the
soil turns much more easily. Though it's still hard to get anything
other than the most indestructible plants to grow there (lantana is
doing very well), it was definitely worth the effort.
Dig deep. Don't rush. Let the elements take whatever time they need.
--Nan
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> mulch,is there any way I can improve this soil without removing all that
> mulch,like putting manure on top of the mulch hoping it will work it's way
> into the soil.Its a pretty large area if I have to remove all that mulch.
>
>