Planting in clay soil

by Kristi
(Kentucky)

If you have clay soil and can't get plants to grow easily, try this...


When planting, dig hole and then fill the very bottom of the hole with gravel, place plant on top of gravel, then fill in with soil. The gravel will help with drainage and give the plant opportunity to take root.

Also, my husband swears that adding a tablespoon of regular table salt will help the plant thrive also. I'm not sure how that one works but it has always done wonders for my plants.

Happy planting.

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Sep 12, 2008
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Above Ground Gardening
by: Anonymous

Another solution to clay or other difficult rowing conditions is to plant above ground. Growing vegetables and flowers in containers is simple, easy and relatively inexpensive. You can even recycle coffee cans, old waste baskets etc. as planters.

Sep 12, 2008
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Above ground garden
by: Anonymous

Another solution to clay or other difficult rowing conditions is to plant above ground. Growing vegetables and flowers in containers is simple, easy and relatively inexpensive. You can even recycle coffee cans, old waste baskets etc. as planters.

Sep 04, 2008
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How to deal with clay soil
by: Anonymous

The rocks will help. The big thing with clay soil is the lack of drainage. By providing what nature didn't you help your plants along until they can establish themselves. Epsom salts helps plants grow. It is like a shot of food for them. It also helps keep some of the pesky critters away from eating your plants.

Aug 29, 2008
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Good Article
by: expertpalu

Very good and informative article on Planting in clay soil.

It clears lots of misconceptions about it. Good guiding article.

Jul 05, 2008
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intereted in giving it a try
by: Anonymous

I just read your article on planting in clay soil and think it is an interesting idea. It sounds like the method basically turned the clay soil into a big clay pot. The part of the article that suggests using table salt makes me a bit nrevous though. From personal experience, concentrated NaCl and plants do not mix. Guess I will have to experiment and see...

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