When you have to deal with compacted, heavy clay in the garden and lawn it takes a toll not just on you but on your body as well. If you’re here seeking a solution to a similar problem, then I must say you started at the right place. Do not feel despair about the situation you are in, there is always a brighter side to things. If you’re not aware then let me tell you that clay soil provides plenty of useful benefits however you will have to make certain adjustments to it in order for it to reach that potential. Well, maintained, healthy clay soil will always give you less work and reduced stress for the garden and lawn. Keep reading and try an put to use a couple of insights that I have shared that will definitely help you to fix that clay soil and in turn, reaping plenty of benefits.
Soil amendments for the best compost to use on compacted clay soil?
Making amendments to the soil in the correct manner can help you overcome compacted, heavy clay allowing you to have a healthier garden and lawn. You can add materials that include gypsum, composted leaves, pine bark, and organic compost to the heavy clay and improve the structure eliminating compaction and drainage issues. Keep away from adding peat moss to the clay, it can worsen your issues.
The extension agent or soil test will help you understand how much of organic materials does your soil requires. Most as a thumb rule many add a single layer of 2-5 inches of organic materials to the soil bio for plantings, and continued to work it up to 10-12 inches, that’s how much roots grow.
Gypsum can be easily added to the surface of the soil with the help of a lawn spreader. This is a very popular amendment that many people use in order to improve the structure of the soil and it also relieves compaction in the gardens and lawns. The moment gypsum is added to the soil it begins to work almost immediately loosening up the compacted soil and also increasing water penetration, as well as improving the drainage. By correcting these conditions of the soil aid allows the roots of the plants to grow well.
Benefits of gypsum
Gypsum will not only help to relieve compaction and improve soil structure but it also helps to add sulfur and calcium which is very important as a part of your plant’s nutrients. You must be aware that calcium is derived by adding lime, it also reduces the acidity of the soil. Now gypsum can immediately add calcium to your soil without impacting the pH of the soil.
Many gardeners also add gypsum to the vegetable gardens because it helps 2 maintain the levels of calcium and avoid deficiency. The lack of calcium is the reason why plants suffer from the rot disease. So, make sure you add enough gypsum while planting to keep the calcium levels high and your vegetables and fruits will ripen without the stress of an end rot. If you plan on a patch of strawberries then adding gypsum will make sure that these strawberries reach their juicy potential.
That’s all for now, I am confident you will be able to treat that heavy clay soil and help you to grow them well. All the best guys!