- Author: Nancy Forrest
Was listening to music the other day the song War what is it good for…absolutely nothing…came on and it made me think of clay what is it good for…. Living in Fairfield you can probably guess the type of soil I have, CLAY. So if you have clay soil like I do, things aren't all bad.
How do you know if you have clay soil? Test your soil to determine the type of you have, the nutrient content, composition, and other characteristics such as pH level. Soil can be tested at any time, but fall or early spring is preferred because it allows time to make adjustments before planting. I just used the Squeeze test, which is really simple to follow. Take a handful of moist (but not wet) soil from your garden, and give it a firm squeeze. Then, open your hand. One of three things will happen:
- It will hold its shape, and when you give it a light poke, it crumbles. Lucky you—this means you have luxurious loam! Loam is generally considered to be ideal soil because it retains moisture and nutrients but doesn't stay soggy.
- It will hold its shape, and, when poked, sits stubbornly in your hand. This means you have clay soil. Clay is nutrient-rich, but slow draining.
- It will fall apart as soon as you open your hand. This means you have sandy soil. Sand is quick draining but has trouble retaining nutrients and moisture.
Clay is often seen in a very negative light because it can be difficult to work and because it does not drain quickly. However, its positive attributes are what makes soil able to support healthy, vigorous plant growth. Most problems experienced with heavily clay-based soils can be greatly improved by amending soil with organic matter, such as compost or mulch. It is recommended to add lots of compost or well-decomposed organic matter, this l will improve the soil's richness, adds air, and helps break up clumps of clay. This will break down quickly and improve clay soil right away. For the best results, add 4 inches of compost or aged manure to every square foot of clay soil and work it into the garden to a depth of 6 inches. Organic mulch is another form of organic material, although it will break down more slowly. However, as organic mulches such as pine chips, bark or sawdust break down, they amend clay soil by adding more organic material to the topsoil, helping create a rich airy loam. Do not try to work organic mulch into the soil; just allow it to work itself in overtime. Leave it alone for at least a week prior to planting anything in it.
So in conclusion, Clay what is it good for…..it can save you on watering and reduce the number of times you have to fertilize. It provides a wonderful foundation for plants to get their roots into; a lot of perennials and annuals thrive in clay soils since they can get a firm grip on the soil with their roots. This firm grip allows them to survive extremes of temperature and moisture.