This post is about the 2 kinds of soil that most gardeners dread.  Clay soil and sandy soil.  Here’s where the hard work begins.

First, let’s address clay soil.

What is clay soil?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica clay soil is composed essentially of silica, alumina or magnesia or both, and water, but iron substitutes for aluminum and magnesium in varying degrees, and appreciable quantities of potassium, sodium, and calcium are frequently present as well.

Why is it so hard to work?

Clay soil is made up of extremely small particles compared to other soil types such as sand, silt or loam.  Mix this with water and its very heavy and when it drys out it is as hard as a rock. Walking on it compacts it and so does heavy driving rain.  The tender little roots cannot work their way through the soil to take ahold and grow.

But on the other hand, it does have the capacity to hold water and nutrients for your gardening needs if you work it right.  Managed well it requires less irrigation and less fertilizer.

What’s the answer?

Areation

How to improve your clay soil for aeration. 

Add organic material which creates a stilt and by adding sand.  This is maybe contrary to what you don’t want your garden soil to be, stay with me.  The best time to areate your clay soil is in the fall as the season ends and in the spring before planting.

What is Tilth?

Tilth is the physical condition of the soil regarding ease of cultivation. seedbed quality, ease of sprouting ,and deep root penetration.How do you work your soil from clay to a nice loam with no clumps, where your roots grow deep with no interference, your seeds do not feel constricted and you can water your plants and know the moisture will reach even the deepest roots?

Check this link out for further information:  https://www.easydigging.com/gardening/articles-g/improve-clay-soil.html

The 3 types of soil

Tilth is made up of 3 types of soil

• sand
• clay
• silt

Perfect soil will have 20% sand and 40% clay and silt.  The easiest way to find out if your soil is perfect or it needs work is to do the jar test.  If your are interested in doing this just click the link below this paragraph.  I know I would like to see what my soil consists of.  Your soil is the basis of your garden and I would like my soil to be as close to perfection as I can get it.

Soil Texture Analysis “The Jar Test”

 

 

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Sandy soil

When I think of sand I think about the beach. Those fine little grains run through your toes when the ocean washes up to the shore. Is there a difference between sandy soil in your garden and the sand on a beach?

Sand is a subset of soil, as we discussed in the above article on clay soil. Soil consists of sand, clay, and silt. Good soil or loamy soil is a perfect mixture of all three.

Good garden soil will have 40% sand mixed in with the clay and silt. This is not written in stone so just keep that in mind and do what is best for your garden.

Sand is the agent that helps good water retention in your garden but amending the soil with rotten compost, vermiculite or peat helps the soil hold on to water.

If you have a seaside garden you need to watch the salt levels of the soil so

Be sure to use plant only based compost or sphagnum peat

Read more at Gardening Know How: Sandy Soil Amendments: How To Do Sandy Soil Improvements

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/amending-sandy-soil.htm