[Palmer]

I moved into a new house last year (Nov '13). I planted in a section over the summer just in the hopes that any yield I got would be great. It turned out to be pretty good to be honest. Now, I can really get to work in there and as I was digging my compost pits, I noticed it's basically clay about a foot and a half down. Besides actual removal, is there much I can do? The compost should help provide nutrients, ditto for the worms. Just curious what everyone else does when they hit clay?

Looking forward to any advice/tips!

Thanks,
Palmer

 

[Shannon]

My soil is full of clay and a huge pain to work so I build beds on top of it! I like knowing what's in my soil as I enhance it and make it as fabulous and healthy as I can as I learn more about gardening. This year I learned about cover crops so they look like beds of grass right now instead of laying sad and empty through the winter.

 

[TennesseeChicken]

We started with a clayey soil as well. Just keep on mixing compost and mulch and in a few years you will have great soil. Raised beds may be a better option.

 

[Stephanie Hanlon]

I did raised beds not because of clay but because I seem to live on a rock quarry and well tilling isn't an option unless i want a broken tiller every year. my natural soil drains well for the most part but planting around boulders the size of pick up trucks and dealing with rocks the size of people heads made me rethink how to garden. so raised beds was the perfect idea. no more tilling, I can layer compost and good soil, I don't have to bend over to plant,weed and pick veggies. I went with the back to Eden method of building a garden and so far 5+ yrs into this is is working great. I started small and it has done nothing but grow bigger and easy to plant,weed and harvest.