C.E.C (Cation Exchange Capacity)

Peat/clay=high CEC
Sand/silt=Low CEC

I have been thinking about dissolving some clay in water and watering it in.

Peat and humus have very high CEC, even higher than clay but I wouldn't think adding some wouldn't hurt any. Some clays have high sodium and/or alum, so I would go easy or find one with K or calcium.

good to know. I was only thinking a small amount.

Have you tried calcined clay?

Chunky Stool said:

Have you tried calcined clay?

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Is this just clay that is heated? I'm not really familiar.

NaturalFarmer said:

Is this just clay that is heated? I'm not really familiar.

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Yes, sometimes it is called Turface and has the consistency of ground up clay bricks. RM3 turned me onto it last year and my plants totally dig it. I put 100 lbs in my garden last year and had a stellar crop (except for tomatoes, which was my fault).
The cheapest is "Special Kitty" all natural cat litter from Wal-Mart. 25 lbs @ $4.
(It does *not* clump)

Jaybodankly said:

I have been thinking about dissolving some clay in water and watering it in.

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I top dressed this clay in last year and plants loved it https://www.greenclays.com/shopping/

NaturalFarmer said:

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Hey man,

Do you follow slownickel over on IC? He's got a thread over there loaded with base saturation and CEC info. A whole group of folks post up their lab results with various , experienced folks weighing in on interpretation and recommendations. Lots of potential learning. He took a look at my latest Spectrum Lab #'s and offered some recs that undoubtedly improved my garden.

Like you he starts his thread with those same brothers!

Yeah I know slownickel. IC is so cumbersome though I can't stand it. I'll pop in there soon and see what he is up to. He taught me a lot about gypsum among other things. Knowledgeable guy, too bad he is from Jersey!

@Heil Tweetler
Not sure if Slow turned you on to this book but it is world changing if you are a farmer. It was written in the 60s but still rings true. Such a good book for soil geeks.
https://www.dynamicgreens.com/app/uploads/2014/11/more-food-from-soil-science.pdf

NaturalFarmer said:

@Heil Tweetler
Not sure if Slow turned you on to this book but it is world changing if you are a farmer. It was written in the 60s but still rings true. Such a good book for soil geeks.
https://www.dynamicgreens.com/app/uploads/2014/11/more-food-from-soil-science.pdf

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Thanks man..yes actually his first pm contained a link to his "library" and that was first book on the shelf.

Really great video that describes the Cation Exchange process.