Outdoor clay soil - need some help

Hello all. I will be planting some Afghans at an outdoor site. All the variables are favorable except the soil is a bit on the clayish side. It seems like great natural compost type soil, but just kinda thick. As of now I plan to work the soil and mix with vermiculite and perlite, maybe sand or fine gravel. Should I do anything else to prepare the soil?

I would add some good compost and a handful or two of dreid leaves
Good luck

Thanks Lacy! I'm going to look for some good sand to. I figure it will help with drainage if I get a lot of rain.

I would use sand as well, my own native soil is a very thick, red clay interspersed with rock. A lot of it. Yours doesn't sound too bad. Do others garden a lot, or is there good native plant variety?

Seamaiden said:

I would use sand as well, my own native soil is a very thick, red clay interspersed with rock. A lot of it. Yours doesn't sound too bad. Do others garden a lot, or is there good native plant variety?

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Well, the soil in the forest seems to be a little different from the soil in the neighborhood yards (about 400 ft away). There is however lots of greenery in the forest (green plants/weeds etc...).

Keeping the bugs away will be another thing. I plan on using vegetable friendly spray until they start to bud. Then use a soap solution after that. If anyone has any experience with outdoor pest control (particularly in a forest), let me know.

So far I haven't had much of a problem, but then again I'm not planting in the earth. You can see my set-up in my gallery. However, the biggest problem I've had with my other outdoor plants is the fucking cat that lies on them or the dogs who tromp over them. Some bugs eat 'em, but I haven't noticed such a bad problem that I wanna use anything to control it.

u have the right ideas for sure. my plot is mostly clay and i added sand and perlite and also some good compost. Sand seems to be important depending on how hard your soild is.

If you really have a high clay content soil you need some gypsum. That will turn the clay into sand temporarily and allow you to grow stuff. Works the same way on yards. All it is is powdered sheet rock..should be able to buy it anywhere in town.

Big Wheel

you can break down clay with peet moss and its cheep like `13.99 for one of thoes bails