Re: no-till gardening
"Sean A. O'Hara" wrote:
>
> I think I can say with all honestly that Santa Clara clay is
> far worse that any found in Berkeley, having gardened in both
> places! Our local clays are the best worst soils you can get
> 'stuck' with (pun intended!). They are naturally very rich in
> nutrients (since they don't leach out!). It is just the
> texture and lack of drainage that are the problem.
Sean
This is excellent advice. But may I just suggest a few possible
improvements on the basis of an explanation I have just give in a
posting I have sent to Richad.
Your method is not so much no-till as low-till and I think, on the basis
of other people's experience dealing with similar soils, could be
improved by cutting out the soil working altogether, including the
initial loosening, ( yes even on compacted areas. If you feel this is
too drastic a change, a light forking would be less disruptive). There
is absolutely no need to till in that compost you put on after drawing
aside the mulch. Simply apply it to the surface and return the mulch to
protect the organisms from drying out. I do this routinely in my garden
with excellent results.
Gypsum apparently works only if the clay has a high sodium content,
which makes for an exceptionally sticky texture. The calcium in the
gypsum replaces the sodium which then can leach away. The fine particles
in sodium clays tend to stick togheter in a solid mass, while in
calcium clays the clump up in aggregates which give the soil a more
loose crumby texture.
Moira
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
