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Helpful Tips For Breaking Up Stubborn Clay Soil
By MARCO ROSSI
Breaking up stubborn clay soil may seem like a daunting task, but it is entirely manageable with the right techniques. One effective method is the addition of organic matter.
Options include composting and spreading green waste such as grass clippings, twigs, leaves, clipped plants, and other organic debris across the soil to improve its structure.
Amendments like manure, wood chips, or peat also prove beneficial, as they assist bacteria in decomposing the organic matter, which in turn makes the clay soil easier
to work with.
Wood chips are ideally added in a thick layer during the fall or in smaller amounts throughout the spring, while manure is best used during the growing season.
Another valuable strategy is the application of gypsum, which helps bind soil particles together, thereby improving drainage and creating a more plant-friendly environment.
To avoid making the soil denser and more difficult to work with, refrain from tilling these materials into the soil and from adding sand, which can hinder proper root development.