DIY clayballs for added silica

[Love Lightning]

what do you think about collecting clay and making dry clay balls/pellets for adding to swamp tubes?
to provide the plants with minerals that are not found in great amounts in local forest top soil (black/acidi/high organic content).

 

[DuskrayTroubador]

Clay is good for water retention, but in order for the nutrients in clay (there are loads) to be accessible, the clay has to be broken up. Gypsum will do the trick (as can your back and a mattock or tiller).

 

[Limeygreen]

You may look into calcium bentonite, it has some silica in it, available at most pottery supply stores, easy to mix in with your soil.