Correcting Clay Soil
- 1). Mix a large amount of organic matter, such as compost, manure or straw, with clay soil. Cover your entire planting bed with a 4-inch layer of organic matter. Work it into the soil to a depth of 8 inches.
- 2). Apply 1 lb. of gypsum per 5 square feet of clay if your soil is alkaline.
- 3). Work the soil with a garden fork instead of a shovel to avoid creating compact clumps of clay. Turn over the soil and break up the clods that form when clay is wet. After the chunks of clay dry and crumble, spray them lightly with water. Rake the crumbs to make a somewhat loose planting bed.
- 4). Cover uncultivated areas around the base of plants with mulch. It reduces water evaporation and the formation of solid crusts on the soil surface.
- 5). Aerate your lawn. Remove 4 inch deep soil cores in several areas of the grass and fill the holes with organic matter to improve air and water circulation.
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