Clay Spade
Planting In Clay Soil
Clay tends to stick together and feels like a sticky plastic ball. Drainage and aeration is poor, but, do not despair, there is a way to improved soil, where particles are loosened into crumbs which improves airspace and drainage.
Break up the clay as best you can using a garden spade/fork or maybe even a pickaxe. I found that by adding gypsum was extremely beneficial in improving the clay soil. Approximately 1kg of gypsum to every square metre of top soil. Add in some organic matter which is animal manure/compost/ash/sawdust etc, (Tip: do not use potting mix) at a rate of around a third organic matter to around two thirds of the existing clay soil. Cultivate this topsoil as well as you can (about 15-20cm in depth). Leave a day or two before planting, then water your plants in well.
It is very important to mulch to stop the surface from caking. I prefer to use sugar cane mulch as it is inexpensive and when it breaks down it helps to improve the soil, but realistically any mulch is beneficial to any type of soil.
Finally, do not give up on your clay soil. Keep topping up with organic matter (animal manure/compost etc) and gypsum or with liquid fertilizers and clay breaker, preferably on a yearly basis and you will be reaping the benefits for years to come.
Yes, you can grow just about anything in clay soil from Australian Natives to beautiful flourishing roses.
I just want to share my experiences with people that are just starting out like me by offering handy down to earth practical advice. When we started on the landscaping (is it ever finished ?!) we got lots of advise from different people “you will never be able to grow anything” to “you can grow just about anything in clay soil”. I am finding out that you can grow just about anything in clay soil with just a little know how.
About the Author
Just A Little About Me
I am not an expert gardener by any means. My husband and I bought and built a house on a large parcel of land in suburbia, Brisbane, Queensland in 2007. We are pretty lucky to have just over 1700sqm of land which our two dogs absolutely love.
We both work full time and needed the garden to be pretty hardy. When someone gives me a plant or cutting and says to me “you can’t kill it” or “it’s hardy…will grow anywhere”, I tend to groan inwardly because they are the last words I want to hear because chances are I will ! Just ask my husband !
I just want to share my experiences with people that are just starting out like me by offering handy down to earth practical advice. When we started on the landscaping (is it ever finished ?!) we got lots of advise from different people “you will never be able to grow anything” to “you can grow just about anything in clay soil”. I am finding out that you can grow just about anything in clay soil with just a little know how.
Anyway, I really hope you enjoy my blurb and come back to visit again soon. For all you expert gardeners out there all tips and hints are greatly appreciated.
Happy pottering everyone .
For what to plant in clay soils please visit www.gardenstoreonline.info .
|
|
Spatula Art Oil Acrylic Palette Knife Clay Wax Paint Metal Tools Spade Icing $1.02 |
|
|
luckey king and queen of spade polymer clay push mold $1.99 |
|
|
Clay Figurine Dollhouse Miniature Teddy Bear Spade Hat $1.99 |
|
|
luckey ace of spade polymer clay push mold $2.29 |
|
|
2 peice mold set luckey ace of spade polymer clay push mold $3.99 |
|
|
c 1920′s SET OF 3 GREEN DIAMOND HEART SPADE CLUB INLAY CLAY POKER CHIP CHIPS $5.00 |
|
|
Spatula Art Oil Acrylic Palette Knife Clay Wax 5 Paint Metal Tools Spade Icing $8.98 |
|
|
CLAY AIKEN Mary J Blige THE OC Reno 911 DAVID SPADE American Idol 2003 magazine $9.99 |
|
|
Leather Craft PMC Silver Clay Stamp Ace of Spades Spade Cards 10mm x 8mm $11.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE CLAY SPADE POKER CHIP GOLD AND WHITE INLAY $12.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE CLAY SPADE POKER CHIP BURGANDY AND WHITE INLAY $12.00 |
|
|
Hawera 4″ x 17″ SDS Max Point Clay Spade Italy 1609508439 $20.00 |
|
|
3/4″ Hex Shank 4-1/2″ x 16″ Pointed Spade Clay NEW $25.00 |
|
|
Genuine Central Pneumatic Jackhammer concave clay spade trench bit chisel 1″ HEX $29.95 |
|
|
SKIL B&D CLAY SPADE 20″L 3/4″ ROUND SHANK USA SLIGHTLY USED $29.95 |
|
|
SKIL B&D CLAY SPADE 20″L 7/8″ HEX SHANK USA SLIGHTLY USED $29.95 |
|
|
Genuine Ingersoll Rand Jackhammer square clay spade trench bit chisel 1 1/8″ HEX $39.95 |
|
|
NEW VULCAN #982 CLAY SPADE CHISEL BIT SHOVEL 5.5″ HEX SHANK $39.95 |
|
|
IRWIN TOOLS Clay Spade 4 inch X 19 inch Steel Clay Spade Retail 333013 $80 NEW $44.95 |
|
|
Bosch HS2269 hex Hammer Steel 7/8″ x20″ Shank Clay spade shovel $49.00 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-3040 3/4″ Hex 16-3/4″ Clay Spade $49.97 |
|
|
BOSCH HS1922 SDS-MAX 4 1/2 X 16 CLAY SPADE $49.99 |
|
|
B&L BRUNNER AND LAY JACKHAMMER BIT CLAY SPADE 7/8th HEX $49.99 |
|
|
NEW Bosch HS1822 Clay Spade Round Hex 4-1/2″ X 16″ $49.99 |
|
|
NEW MILWALKEE CLAY SPADE 48-62-4068 4 1/2 X 16 5/8 SDS-MAX IMPACT SHOVEL CHISEL $49.99 |
|
|
DEWALT DW5848B 4 1/2″ Clay Spade $52.00 |
|
|
48-62-4068 Milwaukee Clay Spade 4-1/2″ x16-5/8″ SDS-MAX $52.49 |
|
|
48-62-2095 Milwaukee Clay Spade 5″ x16-1/2 Spline/RdHex $52.94 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-4068 SDS MAX Clay Spade FREE SHIPPING $52.95 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-2095 Spline Drive Clay Spade FREE SHIP $52.95 |
|
|
IRWIN clay spade 334023 5 3/8 x 21″ 1 1/8″ Hex shaft NEW Shovel jack hammer $55.00 |
|
|
Bosch Clay Spade 5-3/8″ x 21″ – HS2169 – 1-1/8″ Hex 3 618 630 581 – 3618630581 $55.00 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-2095 Hex Shank 4 1/2″ X 16 3/4″ Clay Spade $55.07 |
|
|
Bosch 3/4″ Hex Hammer Steel 4-1/2″ x 17″ Clay Spade HS1504 NEW $56.98 |
|
|
Clay Spade Scoop Shovel Bit Spline Shank Hex 5-1/2″ for Demolition Jack Hammer $56.99 |
|
|
48-62-3040 Milwaukee Clay Spade 4-1/2″ – 3/4″ Hex $57.99 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-4068 Sds-Max 16-5/8″ Clay Spade $58.12 |
|
|
Makita 7981487 4-1/2″ x 17″ Clay Spade for HR3851 or HR5000 $58.73 |
|
|
New CHHCS53716 Clay Spade 3/4″ Hex 5-3/8″ x 16″ $58.88 |
|
|
Clay Spade Bit Demolition Hammer Shovel Hex Shank Scoop $59.98 |
|
|
B&L BRUNNER AND LAY JACKHAMMER BIT CLAY SPADE 1 1/8th HEX $59.99 |
|
|
Demolition Hammer Clay Spade Scoop Shovel Bit Spline Shank Hex Drill 5-1/2″ $59.99 |
|
|
DeWalt DW5848B 4″ Clay Spade $60.39 |
|
|
DeWalt DW5959B 4-1/2″ Clay Spade 3/4″ Hex Shank $61.43 |
|
|
Bosch SDS-max Hammer Steel 4-1/2″ x 17″ Clay Spade HS1922 NEW $61.98 |
|
|
DeWalt DW5786B 4-1/2″ Clay Spade $62.74 |
|
|
NEW B&L BRUNNER AND LAY JACKHAMMER BIT CLAY SPADE 1 1/8th HEX $64.99 |
|
|
NEW B&L BRUNNER AND LAY JACKHAMMER BIT CLAY SPADE 7/8th HEX $64.99 |
|
|
New CHSPCS53716 Clay Spade Spline 5-3/8″ x 16″ $68.69 |
|
|
4-1/2″x 16″ Clay Spade Bit HS1922 by Bosch $69.99 |
|
|
NEW Bosch HS2169 5-1/2″ x 20″ Clay Spade; 1-1/8″ Hex Sh $69.99 |
|
|
Makita Clay Spade – 5 ½”, 1 1/8” Hex $71.00 |
|
|
NEW Milwaukee 48-62-4030 5 1/2″ x 20″ Clay Spade – free shipping $74.95 |
|
|
48-62-4030 Milwaukee 5-1/2″ Clay Spade 20″ $74.99 |
|
|
500ct 14G EDGE SPOT SPADE CLAY POKER CHIPS SET $79.99 |
|
|
Hitachi 724969 4-by-17-Inch SDS Max Clay Spade Hammer Bit $80.99 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-4030 Clay Spade Bit For 11/8″ Demolition $84.61 |
|
|
Bosch HS1922 4-1/2″ x 18″ Clay Spade SDS-Max shank $85.49 |
|
|
DeWalt DW5965 5″ x 20″ Clay Spade 1-1/8″ Hex Shank $88.47 |
|
|
Hitachi 724969 4-by-17-Inch SDS Max Clay Spade Hammer $89.42 |
|
|
5-1/2″x20″ Brute Breaker Hammer Clay Spade Bit HS2169 by Bosch $89.99 |
|
|
Hitachi 724969 4-by-17-Inch SDS Max Clay Spade Hammer $94.44 |
|
|
Bosch Brute 1-1/8″ Hex Hammer Steel 5-1/2″ Clay Spade HS2169 NEW $106.99 |
|
|
Faithfull Clay Spade 100x165mm Kango Shank $112.17 |
|
|
Hitachi 985233 1-1/8-Inch Hex 5-1/2-Inch by 20-Inch Hammer Clay Spade $112.67 |
|
|
NEW 5.5″ Clay Spade Drill Bit Each Hammer Steel Bits HS2169 000346246193 $114.48 |
|
|
KATE SPADE Tortoise Shell CLAY/L/S/1D1 Sunglasses NEW $119.99 |
|
|
Faithfull Clay Spade 125x205mm Bosch/hitachi $142.20 |
|
|
Faithfull KAGCS Clay Spade 100 x 165mm Kango Shank $155.47 |
|
|
Faithfull BOSCS Clay Spade 125 x 205mm Bosch / Hitachi $184.52 |
|
|
48-62-4130 Milwaukee 5-1/2″ Clay Spade 20″ 5 pack $299.99 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-4130 1-1/8″ Hex 5-1/2″ X 20″ Clay Spade Bulk Pack Of 5 $336.15 |
|
|
48-62-3140 Milwaukee Clay Spade 4-1/2″ – 3/4″ Hex, 12 pack $399.99 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-3140 3/4″ Hex 16-3/4″ Clay Spade – Bulk Bulk Pack Of 12 $423.60 |
|
|
LOT OF 10 NEW MILWALKEE CLAY SPADE 48-62-4068 4 1/2X16 5/8 SDS-MAX IMPACT CHISEL $449.99 |
|
|
Milwaukee 48-62-4168 Sds-Max 16-5/8″ Clay Spade – Bulk Bulk Pack Of 12 $594.69 |
