Lighten Heavy Clay Soil is a big problem. The heavy clay soil is the nightmare of many gardeners. From the first heavy rains, they are flooded and become impassable. terre sticks to the shoes, we slide on them. In the dry season, on the contrary, the clay soil quickly hardens and breaks. Difficult in these conditions to grow anything properly in your vegetable garden.

However, the problem is not insurmountable and it is even possible, in a few years, to fix clay soil, to soften it until it is perfectly arable. Especially since clayey soil still has good properties. : it is consistent and above all fruitful.

This is the key element. This is done to stimulate even more life in the soil. Because it is the micro-organisms and bacteria of the soil, due to work, that modify its structure and make it possible to achieve the gardener’s holy grail: soil.

What Organic Materials Should You Bring?

First of all, made of concrete. The latter, processed by soil bacteria, is quickly digested (in a few weeks to a few months) and turns into humus. These regular compost additions are therefore very beneficial.

So the green manures, to be sown as soon as the soil is no longer occupied by any crop. the fertilizer the most common grasses are plants of the Legume family (fodder peas, beans, peas, clovers, lupins, alfalfa, clover, etc.) or Poaceae (the family of grasses such as oats, millet, rye).

These plants all have highly developed root systems that go deep and break up the soil much finer than a pitchfork would. They also rise near the surface, in the arable layer, of the mineral elements washed away by the rains.

At the end of their cultural cycle, green manures are cut and left in place on the soil or incorporated coarsely. The roots also remain in the soil and slowly decompose under the action of microorganisms and earthworms. Their gradual disappearance leaves gaps, helping to improve soil drainage.

Another interesting element, the roots of green manure of the legume family harbor in nodules bacteria capable of binding nitrogen from the air and returning it to soil microorganisms. In addition to treating clay soil, these plants also enrich it.

Compost, green manure crops reconstructed or buried with the help of a good digging fork… So in a few years and with few means, anyone can manage to soften and make heavy, clay soil a corner of a perfectly cultivable vegetable garden.

Also, read about this topic:

➥ Should compost be mixed with soil?