Much of the soil in the Ozarks is Clay that needs to be amended to have a happy healthy garden. There are different ways to amend soil and make it full of life and energy for the plants. We will discuss some of these in this article.
The soil in my area is made up of clay and rock. There is usually a very thin top layer of decayed leaf and weeds that quickly gives way to hard packed red clay. Plant roots do not penetrate this compacted mass, therefore the shallow roots will dry in the hot summer and the plant withers and falls. When the clay is saturated from the rain it becomes a slick mushy mess, the plant roots become waterlogged and the plant drowns.
How do I help Clay Soil?
Before you can have a good garden that grows healthy plants that hard clay needs to be loose to allow oxygen and nutrition for the plant roots to collect. Healthy garden soil is alive with microorganisms, earthworms and lots of organic matter. The organic matter decays into a sponge like substance that helps hold moisture around plant roots yet allows space for the roots to breath.
Good Amendments for Clay
Organic matter used for amending the clay can come from many sources. Creating a compost pile with your own refuse is a good way to make your own soil builder. Many cities now have compost at minimal or no charge. This compost is made up of fall leaves, chipped brush and grass clippings. Horse stables or some Cattle farms will have old stable hay and bedding or manure for sale that is also wonderful addition to the clay. Your local garden center or plant nursery will carry bagged or bulk fully decomposed compost. Some carry composted steer manure and bags or bales of peat moss.
The Organic matter used for clay amendment needs to be broken down into a dark, rich, unidentifiable crumbly mixture before you dig it into the soil. If you can still identify the individual materials leave it on top of the soil as mulch rather than burying it. When organic matter is buried before it has broken down, decomposition takes much longer because the microbes that do the work need plenty of oxygen.
Soil Test
All of these organic soil amendments will add texture and moisture retention to the clay soil but you have specific mineral needs. A soil test is the best way to find what mineral and fertilizer additives are needed. Your local extension office can test your soil for a small fee. Take a sample of dirt and tell them you are planting a vegetable garden. The test will tell you the pH of your soil, whether it is acid or alkaline and what to add to bring it to the right balance for what you are planting. Lime is the addition you usually see needed for clay soil. The sample test will give you the Phosphorus and Potassium levels of the soil that are available to the plants. These two macronutrients and Nitrogen are required by plants for optimal growth. The printout results of your soil test will give recommendations for amounts and types of fertilizer to add for plant growth.
You Can Do It
Creating healthy garden soil by amending clay takes a few years. Plan ahead and add the proper soil amendments during the fall and winter and each year you will see major improvement. Your hard work will pay off as you harvest the tasty homegrown garden produce and carry it to the kitchen for your enjoyment.
I hope this inspires you to turn that clay into a garden. Please leave me your comments if you find this information helpful. Scroll down the page to leave your feedback. Thank You.