Clay soil can also be transformed by simply adding a lot of organic material on top of the soil and then being patient. A combination of these methods also works by digging enough room for the plants or seeds, adding organic material in the hole or trench and then covering with more organic material and then mulching the entire area around plants (the whole garden). For annuals, the organic material added into the hole should be pretty much decomposed. For perennials, this is not as important. I have put leaves into a hole with a perennial plant and it served as an interior moisture retainer, a magnet for worms and other decomposers and thus an interior source of slow-release nutrients. The plant did well with the addition of exterior mulch at the time of planting and from time to time as material became available which was usually coffee grounds, egg shells and leaves in the fall 10. Even without a lot of the juicy portion, clay soil will still support the growth of many types of plants as it softens up due to moisture and the activity of soil life as the result of mulch. 11. Clay soil helps plants, especially perennials become stronger because it gives their roots something to work through and hold on to in order to support their weight, endure winds and handle other stresses. 12. Many of the minerals deep rooted plants are said to bring up from the soil, obviously come from layers of clay. 13. The various degrees and coarseness of clay soil represent nutrients in transition stages between nutrients in the form of solid rock and nutrients in the form of topsoil. 14. The reason many people have a negative reaction to clay soil is due to being trained to think one way - that it takes more effort to “work” clay soil. This is only partly true when the decision is made to dig up all the soil instead of just digging enough room for the plants or seeds. 15. Another reason for the dislike of clay soil is the notion that plants don't grow as fast and as big in clay soil. I'm sure this is true in some types of clay soil that is unmulched. Mulching helps soften the soil for digging by humans and other lifeforms including roots.
There was a spot where I wanted to plant a tree in clay soil but could not get the garden fork to penetrate the soil at all. It was like concrete. I covered the area with a full wheelbarrow of wood chips and then poured a full wheelbarrow of water on the wood chips. The next day, I was able to dig a hole a foot deep. 16. To make life easier in any soil type, mulch the ground before doing anything and/or let it rain on the area and/or soak the area yourself. 17. You can choose to grow what grows best in the type of clay soil you have and/or you can choose to change the composition of the soil so you can grow what you want to grow1 and/or you can do some of both. Your degree of understanding, persistence and patience will determine what it takes.
