Table of contents
- soil analysis
- The digging
- The additional treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions
Clay soil in the garden can have its advantages and disadvantages. There are plants and shrubs such as lilac, yew or magnolia that don't mind the heavy and poorly aerated soil. Less robust plants, shrubs and trees, on the other hand, require lighter and better aerated soil. For this reason, many gardeners are forced to loosen up the heavy clay soil and improve it so that it can be used widely.
soil analysis
So that the clay soil can be effectively loosened and thus also upgraded, you should carry out a soil analysis as a first step. This is the only way you will be able to determine how high the clay content in the soil really is and how the compact substance can best be broken up. After all, a more fertile and, above all, more diverse soil should be created at the end, which significantly expands the possibilities for planting.
A soil analysis can be carried out, among other things, by the green space office, which is based on site. However, various providers can also be found on the Internet who come from the horticultural industry and therefore have the relevant experience. In both cases, a soil sample usually has to be sent in for analysis. The corresponding analysis is then carried out in the laboratory and the evaluation is sent by post. So nobody comes into the garden to check the soil on site.
The local garden association could also provide information about the condition of the soil. Many allotment gardeners have problems with the soil, so you can use their experience for your own "soil".
The analysis not only checks the soil composition, but also the pH value. Another important aspect for later planting.
Tip:
Since a soil analysis costs money, it is advisable to always contact the local green space office first. Perhaps such an analysis has already been carried out in the immediate vicinity of your own property, so that the values and experiences determined there can be adopted. Otherwise, a price comparison in advance always helps.
The digging
Heavy clay soil requires heavy working material for loosening. The soil must always be dug up with a spade before planting. In the best case up to a depth of 20 cm. This corresponds to a generous spade length. This ensures that the top layer of soil is sufficiently loosened to give the plants and their roots space, air and water to grow. In order to be able to break up the large clods that inevitably result from digging up, you can work with a hoe, a cultivator and a rake afterwards. However, be careful not to compact the soil too much again. Finally, a better aeration and water absorption with the digging is aimed at.
After digging up and chopping the resulting clods, an organic fertilizer should be spread over the soil. This can be cow manure, horse manure or similar. The layer should be at least 5 cm thick. The area with the manure is then dug up again so that the manure can mix well with the clay soil. Mining should take place at least once a year.
October is recommended for clay soil. This month is particularly humid and the frost has not usually set in yet. In addition, the harvest, apart from the winter vegetables, should already have been brought in. If you decide to dig up in the fall, this brings a decisive advantage. This allows the frost to penetrate the soil and loosen it naturally. The so-called frost fermentation gives your soil an additional opportunity to recover and loosen up in a completely natural way.
Tip:
You can always get good crap from the farmer around the corner. They are also happy to deliver the manure, so that you don't have to worry about transporting the mostly unpleasant-smelling material.
The additional treatment
After evaluating the soil analysis, a decision must then be made as to how the heavy clay soil can be treated further. As an additive, compost, gravel, sand or other coarse and always natural fertilizers can be added. The denser and heavier the soil, the more work needs to be done.
A notice:
Flowers are happy when a mature compost is mixed into the clay soil. Lawn, on the other hand, grows particularly well on a sand mixture. And if you want to grow vegetables, then additional green manuring should take place.
Gravel, for example, regulates the water balance very well. The same applies to sand. Both materials create air cushions in the soil in which the water can collect. The plants can then help themselves very easily. With natural fertilizers such as compost, you provide your plants with important nutrients that promote the growth process. In addition, the compost can be stored longer in the ground. The nutrients in it are therefore available over a long period of time.
Tip:
A very heavy and solid loamy soil can also tolerate a larger portion of gravel. This must be dug under until it has mixed well with the soil. Carrots, turnips or other plants with thick roots are particularly happy about this soil mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
A spade is required to work the soil and, if necessary, a hoe to break up the large clods of earth. A natural fertilizer or gravel should be used to upgrade the soil. Lime can also be helpful if the pH value is unfavorable.
As a rule, one processing per year is recommended. October is particularly good for digging up clay soil. The soil can benefit from the so-called frost rot in winter, which makes the soil more fine-grained and therefore lighter.
If the floor is so heavy that all previous measures have had little or no effect, then the floor sometimes has to be replaced. To do this, the top layer must be removed and replaced with topsoil.
garden editorial I write about everything that interests me in my garden.
Learn more about floor care
Digging up the garden: 13 tips for lawns and beds
Whether it makes sense to dig up beds or lawns is discussed in different ways. Once you have decided on this measure, our tips will help you to organize work in the garden effectively.
Pine bark: suitable for which plants?
Pine bark is a type of mulch that is gaining popularity among many garden owners due to its color and properties. Before purchasing, the question often arises as to which plants the bark mulch is suitable for. This question is justified because of the origin of the pine.
Which soil to choose for elephant foot?
The right substrate is crucial for the elephant's foot and should therefore be chosen well. Read here which soil is best suited for the Beaucarnea recurvata!
Expanded clay as a water reservoir: The alternative to earth?
Expanded clay is known to many as a substrate for hydroponics or as drainage in pots. Due to its properties, the clay granulate is suitable as a substrate in many different areas and can replace soil. The granules have long been an indispensable basis for green roofs.
Potting soil: Mix the potting soil yourself
Potting soil has to meet special requirements. It can therefore often make sense to mix potting soil yourself. This comes with several advantages. But what do you have to pay attention to? The guide below shows how to do it.
pH value in the soil: 15 tips for measuring & regulating
If the pH of the garden/plant soil is suboptimal, this can lead to serious plant damage. We show what options there are for measuring and regulating.
