Gardening in clay soil can be difficult because of the lack of draining and the hardness of the ground itself, making it harder for roots to spread and grow. Also, clay soil clumps together, making it harder to nurture soil that will be loose and fertile for any plant. If you have wanted to grow a garden but cannot because of clay soil, you can take some measures to get the soil you desire. The first thing you need to do is till the soil it is loosened. You want the soil soft and balanced. Add the proper balance of nutrients. Balance out the soil with a healthy mix of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium; these are the basic building blocks for growing any plant. When tilling, get deep into the soil, around 8-10 inches. Add the necessary compost and fertilizer to nurture the soil. Natural compost is always the best alternative since you want as many natural properties in the ground as possible that are familiar to plants as they grow. You can make your compost with leftover plant matter from plant trimmings, newspaper shreds, and other helpful properties that will nurture soil fertility. Be careful in what kind of plants you throw into your compost; you don’t want any plants containing disease or harmful microbes mixed in the soil. You can also buy the necessary fertilizers at your local plant nursery or supermarket, a gardening section. When you add the necessary compost, add a layer of mulch on top of the soil to keep in moisture and heat. That will also help the decomposition process, and you should have healthy soil by the next growing season. If you cannot wait that long, head to your local nursery and ask about some helpful tips for nurturing soil faster. Nursery reps are familiar with rough soil questions, especially in areas where red clay is native to a particular region.
