HOMESTEAD HOW-TO

How to Improve Heavy Clay Soil in Your Garden

Clay soil is heavy and dense, making it notorious for being difficult for vegetable gardening. Improving clay soil will also be good for the long-term health of your vegetable garden.

Cutout

Clay soil can benefit from tilling, especially when creating new garden beds. This will help to aerate the soil and prevent compaction.

Tilling

You can also aerate the soil regularly during the first few growing seasons. This can be done by poking holes in the soil with a garden fork or by using an aerator.

Aerate the Soil

The best way to improve clay soil is to add organic matter to balance the heavy clay structure. This can be compost, manure, or peat moss.

Amending with Organic Matter

Try growing cover crops in your clay soil. Cover crops are plants that are grown to improve soil health.

Growing Cover Crops

The clay’s compacted nature means it is less likely to be disturbed by animals or erosion.

Clay soils retain heat better than other soil types, which can be helpful for plants that need a little extra warmth.

Are there any benefits to clay soil?