Clay soil base?

be ez

Well-Known Member
Last night I dug a hole for my plants but after getting 2' down I hit clay. :wall:
I filled the hole with a layer of subcools supersoil about 10" deep and then put my plants in and filled around them making for a slight mound. Today I'm wondering if the clay will give me any issues with drainage and such and if I should've just put them in pots...
If anyone has experience with this advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Well clay can become overwatered, but as long as you have some other soil that the plant has to grow through before hitting the clay then it will actually help...the clay I mean...it will help your plant. It is hard and terrible to us, but roots can get through it easy...it is full of vitamins and minerals that plants love...and drainage is usually only an issue in container gardening...I mean unless you plant a plant in a spot that is continually a puddle...Because other plants in the area are also leeching water from the same area you have your plant in...
Don't water the plant unless you absolutely have to...that way the clay will hold moisture from rain, but won't have too much moisture...ya know...
My veggie garden wouldn't have made it this year without as much clay as we have...and the whole garden is just in clay, with some potting soil, and manure, and vermiculite, and perlite added...So all the plants had 6-8 inches to grow roots before they hit the straight up clay, and they are all doing great! Super Great! So don't worry too much...but also don't ever use a very heavy clay based soil in a container because it will choke off the plant, but in the ground you are golden.
 
Good to hear :bigjoint: I was worried I'd have to trek out there again tonight and fix it. Its been a really dry summer too so it sounds like it might even help me out!
 
Back
Top