How do YOU handle clay soil?

[gunnaknow]

Before you use gypsum, please bear in mind that it only breaks up sodic clays:

"Gypsum is often promoted as a 'clay breaker'. It does, indeed, improve the structure of sodic clays (clays with more than 5% exchangeable sodium, and low salinity). However, it does little to improve the structure of clays that are not sodic, soils where there is little or no clay dispersion, or the structure of soils containing only small amounts of clay."

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/127258/Does-my-soil-need-gypsum.pdf

If the clay isn't sodic, then you may like to follow oldtimer1's sage advice:

I have grown on heavy clay soil for more years than you want to know.

My advise is this.

Do not dig holes and try and enrich the soil within it or sink bottomless pots, both methods act like sumps and the enriched soil will go sour.

The best way to deal with clay top soil is to cultivate a big area by digging properly...you only need to turn over and break up the top 5 or 6 inches of top soil. Like this I have had plants with root systems 3 to 5 ft in diameter on each plant.

Clay soil is naturally rich in all nutrients so does not really need base fertilisers. Do not bother digging anything in, if the soil is acid, top dress with dolomite lime. Once the plants are growing mulch the whole area with as much organic matter as you can...organic matter could be peat, leaf mould, garden compost, fine bark chippings, lawn mowings etc. You could also use old rotted manure.

So get a fork out and turn the whole area over to cultivate the soil. Then your plants will have no restrictions and they can spread their roots as far as they like.

 

[Easy7]

How do you find which type of clay we have? Also we can mix soil at home, pack into large zip bags and haul out reasonable loads. I like WWII German folding shovels for hole digging. These shovels are packable and have a square pin that's holds up better than the American style threaded. Does not become difficult to open or close due to dirt or corrosion.... The ak47 of shovels!

 

[OldeMann]

Measure a 4ft to 6ft circle and build a hill or a mound by digging up some soil from outside the circle and adding your amendments. I have done this with gardens, adding straw, peat, even pine needle to help the mound both drain and build up the soil. Basically a raised bed without any walls around it.