From: cnorman@weber.ucsd.edu (Cyndi Norman)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Re: Preparing Clay Soil for Planting
Date: 3 Jan 1993 01:05:36 GMT
Organization: U.C.S.D. Department of Communication
NNTP-Posting-Host: weber.ucsd.edu

In article <1992Dec29.184101.19659@gvl.unisys.com> garyp@rmtc.paramax.com
(Gary Palangian [RMTC/ISP]) writes:

>  I have read a lot of books that talk
>about amending the soil with peat or manure.  They say
>to add in up to 50% of organic material and till it
>under anywhere from 6" to 24".  These books also make
>it sound like you do this in a weekend.  

That's about it.  Of course, the time it takes depends a lot on how big an
area you are doing and how strong you and your back are.

I live in San Diego and moved in August to a (rented) house with a yard.
The soil is mostly clay around here (thus the famous adobe buildings).
Also, about 6 inches down you hit hardpan.  My front yard consists of two
large raised beds plus other planting areas along the sides.

Fortunately for me, my roommate is strong, owns a pick-up truck he doesn't
mind getting dirty, and likes to work soil.  About 20 minutes east of us is
a landfill that gives away free mulch (shredded plant material) and a horse
farm that has piles of manure (well-rotted even) free for the taking.  We
have filled up many many truck loads of both substances (partly for the
place we used to live in when we were neighbors and shared a garden).

My roommate did the following: 1) added a truckload of mulch and a
truckload of manure to the soil; 2) dug it in with a shovel and/or spading
fork.  After the first of the winter rains, the soil was fantastic and
everything I've put in so far has thrived.  Plants I have added to undug
soil haven't done very well but the existing plants are okay.  We also top
dress the soil with manure and mulch.  As an aside, I use organic methods
only and prefer losing a few plants to using chemicals (not only are they
bad for the environment as a whole but I am severely chemically sensitive
and can't risk getting ill).

>Well I would like to take advantage of the time I
>have to amend the soil properly.  I figure the
>extra time should allow me to 1) Do a better job,
>and/or 2) Do a cheaper job.  So, can anybody help
>with advice on preparing soil for planting
>a year down the road?  

I'm really not an expert but I have a few tips that your timing will help
with.

Don't work the soil when it is too wet or too dry.  You can destroy the
texture and mess up plantings for a long time.  With clay, the worst thing
is if you work the soil too wet--it will turn into material for bricks.

The best thing about taking your time is that you can choose your plants
slowly so you find just what you want and not what you have to settle for.
You can also grow things from seed or small seedlings instead of buying
larger plants.

Also, if you need to change the soil pH, you will need a few months to get
it right (not that most plants care all *that* much if you are close).

My garden area is only worked down about 6-8 inches.  This isn't great I
know but I'm planting mostly plants that live in clay anyway.  Taking more
time to dig deeper means two weekends instead of one (unless you need power
tools).   I will have to figure out something when I start planting root
vegetables.  I am also going to buy lots of plants in pots (since it's a
rented house).

Good luck...
-- 
__________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)         cnorman@ucsd (bitnet)
______________________________________________ cnorman@ucsd.edu (internet)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens