Fall is a great time to give your property some TLC before the cold winter months set in! Taking the time to address issues like soil health in the fall will ensure that you are set up for success when the spring gardening season comes around.
Perhaps you recently moved to a new property and have noticed that the ground in your yard and gardens is made up of mostly clay. This can be a difficult challenge when it comes to landscaping as clay is heavy, hard to work with, and can be inhospitable to plant growth due to lack of drainage and aeration.
Clay soil is a sticky, heavy substance and does not have the light and aerated texture that is ideal for planting grass, flowers, or other vegetation. Clay soil can also compact and expand significantly depending on the weather, and typically takes a long time to defrost in the spring when compared to regular soils.
However, if you have a property with high levels of clay soil, don’t despair! There are ways that you can help change the overall composition of the soil, making it easier to work with and also more hospitable to plant growth.
The best way to improve clay soil is simply to add more organic matter to the area. If your clay soil is hard and difficult to dig into, adding organic matter will soften it, making it easier to work with. Additionally, adding organic matter will help achieve a better balance of drainage and water retention, and will add natural fertilizer to the soil.
Greely Sand & Gravel’s Topdressing Soil or our Mushroom Compost are both excellent choices to combine with clay soil. Begin by breaking up the clay soil in the area you are trying to improve with a shovel or rake. Consider removing some of the clay soil to clear the space and then spread the Topdressing Soil or the Mushroom Compost on top. Be sure to blend the new soil into the clay soil as best you can using a shovel or a garden rake. The more combined you can get the old and new soils, the better for your plants or grass.
If you are using Mushroom Compost, be careful not to let it make up more than ⅓ of your total soil volume. Too much Mushroom Compost can make your soil overly acidic which can be detrimental to plant growth. To avoid this, consider using our Topdressing Soil which is already expertly blended and optimized for plant health. Both products are also certified for organic growing.
Whether you are working in a large area or a small garden, Greely Sand & Gravel can deliver the exact amount of soil you need for your project. Limited space? Consider ordering one of our convenient Greely Gardening Bags, available in three sizes. Or, if you need a bulk load, we can deliver up to 22 cubic yards to your yard by dump truck. Visit our website or give our office a call to learn more about our premium products and expert delivery service. We are here to help!