Clay Soil

One of my worst woes when it comes to gardening here at the homestead {besides living in a semi-arid dessert, weeds that hold a grudge, and insects that not only eat my tender plants, but seem to have a liking of human flesh} is all the clay soil I have to contend with.

Clay isn't all bad, it does have many minerals that some plants like, once you can get water to penetrate, it will keep moist. Yet it is thick, tends to clump, and becomes very hard once dried. So what's a gal to do?

With much trial an error, with many different gardening and homesteading books that weren't that helpful I have figured out my land, and what grows well where.

The lighter clayed area has now been conditioned quite well with giant edible sunflowers rotated with corn. They both grew well in the clay.

Where I have thick clay, the bigger the seed the better. Our zucchinis and squashes did well here, acorn squash did wonderfully. We discovered that it was a bad idea to mound up the clay like some of the books {ok the majority} said to do when planting gourds. When the seeds sprouted, the clay would come up in a small chunk, reminding me of a lid. My gourd patch has no hoed rows, just turned over strips.

When it comes to your own soil, unless you have gone to the store and bought perfect earth, then you will end up experimenting for a time. The books, as well as what I say, can only tell you how your plants should be planted and tended to. What ends up growing and thriving will tell you what you can do. Invest in home composting and a journal. For a successful garden, take note of what and where something is placed, and how much it yields. This will help come next spring.

And speaking of gardens. I seemed to have misplaced my radish seeds that I harvested last year. I have several volunteers coming up along with lettuce. They are just about ready to harvest. And my flower bed as been taken over by several small pumpkin plants again this year. Did you have any volunteers pop up?