Adding compost to clay soil is ideal for its growth. However, you must know how much compost is needed, and in this article, you’ll be enlightened on that.
When trying to dig over heavy clay soil and grow something in it, you may find it difficult. You may believe that the greatest thing you can do is simply plant grass on it and ignore the rest. Compost is one item that can help.
The application of compost to any soil type can improve it. Compost will enrich clay soil more than any other form of soil. Compost is an excellent sort of organic matter to use if you have clay soil.
Apply as much compost on the soil as necessary if you have a lot of it and clay soil. Clay soil is in desperate need of as much organic matter as possible. Applying compost to clay soil will always aid in breaking up those difficult-to-work-with lumps. You don’t have to bury it. It’s sometimes best if you don’t.
Merits Of Clay Soil
The following are various merits of clay soil.
- Clay holds moisture efficiently due to its density.
- It is also nutrient-dense in comparison to other soil types.
- Clay soil particles are negatively charged, which attracts and holds positively charged particles like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Read also: The Ideal Compost To Soil Ratio For Vegetable Garden
Demerits Of Clay Soil
The following are various demerits of clay soil.
- Draining takes time.
- In the spring, it takes a long time for the temperature to rise.
- Compacts readily, making root growth difficult.
- Propensity to heave in winter.
- Propensity to be alkaline in pH.
How Much Compost To Add To Clay Soil
Use 1-3 inches of compost plowed or tilled into the soil as a soil supplement before planting fresh beds. However, for thick clay soils, use 1-2 inches.
Read also: Can you compost weeds?
How To Improve Your Clay Soil
The following are various ways to improve your clay soil.
You’ll have to apply 6 to 8 inches of organic matter to the entire bed to enhance the soil. Any organic matter you can get your hands on can be used. Grass clippings (as long as they haven’t been chemically treated), shredded leaves, rotten manure, and compost are also good options.
On the soil surface, spread your organic stuff. This is where the manual work enters the picture. The organic materials should be incorporated into the soil’s top 6 to 12 inches.
Digging it in and mixing it with a shovel is a good way to do it since it moves a lot of earth without crushing the soil particles as tilling does. However, if digging is too taxing on your back, a tiller is a good alternative.
Note: Amazingly often, individuals believe that the best method to improve deep, clay soil is to add sand. After all, loamy soils contain a blend of sand and clay, making them perfect garden soil. Sadly, when sand is put straight into clay, the result is more concrete-like.
Read also: Can I Put Compost On Top Of Soil?
The fact that loamy soils include a high proportion of organic material as a basis for sand and clay makes them ideal for plants. Clay and sand create a bad garden if there isn’t a lot of organic material. Compost and other organic materials are the greatest attempts to enhance clay soils.
