Re: New Beds in zone 8

Blee811 <Blee811@aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 98-01-19 11:14:19 EST, you write:
> 
> << As for ameliorating the soil, try sand on the clay parts (I know you said
> you
>  already tried that) >>
> Be very careful with this.  I'm not a soil expert, but I do know that
> different areas have different kinds of clay.  Our clay here in Ohio tends to
> form concrete with the addition of sand unless you apply an extremely large
> amount.  
> 
> Bill Lee

Bill, you hit the proverbial nail on the head.  Most clays (and 
there are many) will indeed form concrete with sand added.  
After all, clay is composed of ground rock among other things.  
Adding more simply makes it tighter and heavier, until you 
overpower it's ability to bind; very similar to mixing too much 
sand/rock into concrete.  Further, it adds absolutely nothing of 
organic value.  Adding compost will be absorbed and mix into the 
clay.  It will add nutrients to the soil and will attract far 
more critters that will help break up the clay (e.g., 
earthworms).    

When I moved here 3 autumns ago, I began to dig in earnest.  I 
ambitiously desodded, tilled and began to trippple dig my large 
(30 x70 ish ) perennial garden.   I discovered to my dismay that 
the soil wasn't simply compacted from years of lawn and pounding 
with no aeration, it was dense clay binding rock.  Eons ago, 
this was a glacial river valley.  :(  There was no way I could 
make sufficient compost so I bought finished, screened compost 
from the county.  It is the most gorgeous stuff I've ever seen.  
Rich, black.  I added approximately one cubic foot to one cubic 
foot of clay I dug (less the larger rocks).  Then I let it sit 
and settle for awhile (through several rains).  

I planted the area and dumped another 3 or 4" of the stuff on 
top as side dressing.   Most things are flourishing there.  I 
add another 4" or so of compost every year in the spring.  Maybe 
some in autumn if most has been absorbed.  This year I will be 
(gasp) digging everything up in sections, triple digging 
again and adding another load of compost.  Hopefully this will 
be the last time that is necessary.

Then I began to do research on clay.  (My veggie garden is in 
12" raised beds.)  I also have learned the characteristics of my 
clay.  Turns out it is very much of a sandy composition; not 
surprising given the river rock and history of the place.  
Basically, it does not drain.  I found out subsequently we 
passed the perc test because it was done over the leachfield.  
:)

Anyhow, it appears that organic material only works its way down 
about 4".  Any perennial needing well drained soil is not going 
to appreciate this.  In fact, although I did all of the above, 
in certain spots I suppose I didn't do well enough.  I lost a 
bunch of delphs, foxglove and aconite there over a very wet 
winter.

I'd recommend several things.  First learn all about your clay.  
Wet, damp, dry. See how it does drain.  See how much is sand.  
That is all very important.  Also, there are perennials that 
don't much object to clay soils.  You could select some of those 
initially.  If you'd like details on techniques for learning 
more about your soil, let me know.  There are a bunch of simple 
things you can do.

Jaime
NW NJ, zone 6/5
jknoble@warwick.net
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