Clay Soil

Clay soil particles are tiny—even smaller than silt soil particle. Clay soil must be loosened with a pick, otherwise it becomes too compact and difficult to harvest. Red clay is better than gray or blue clay as it is looser and can be toiled. Clay soil is innately heavy, retaining lots of water with little drainage. Water logged clay soil can be extremely sticky and thick. This can create an overload of water and sometimes cause rot in grape vines. On the up side, if there is a drought or a period when the plants are not watered, plants in clay soil are generally not affected. Sometimes, a small layer of sandy soil covers clay soil. Plants’ roots take longer to establish themselves in clay soil than in other soil types such as sand soil. Fertile clay soil has lots of nutrients and dissolved minerals and can be good for plants if there is a drainage system. Roses, wildflowers, potatoes, legumes, beans, and fruit trees (especially apple) grow well in clay soil.

tags: clay ·