Ok I have a spot in my yard that is mostly clay, nothing wants to grow there. I have had to transplant 4 different kinds of things from that spot. I am wondering if mint would grow there. Does anyone know.
Valerie Yes, I live in my own little world. But that's ok they know me here. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
Hi Valerie,I think mint would grow there. I had to take out about 5 wheelbarrow loads one time on a spot like that.Then I just started adding anything,(and I mean anything to the hole)! I mostly used grass clippings,sawdust,manure and any dirt I could find.Some of the area kept sinking,I kept adding! oh,and leaves too.
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 3:40:02 PM
I agree with Dorothy. Add all the organic matter you can. I'd compost the sawdust first so that it doesn't tie up nitrogen while it decomposes. Don't add sand. It makes clay soil worse by binding the clay together more tightly. I think mint will grow just about anywhere.
I wouldn't dig down and then add OM. That creates a clay lined hole that doesn't allow for drainage. Roots will suffocate and die. Turn the OM in by hand if possible and avoid tilling. Build up.
There's a book calling Lasagna Gardening that tells how to pile up the organic matter to improve planting. I had horrible clay soil at my last house (with lots of river rock too) and this is what I used. You don't have to till, pile your organic matter in layers about 2 ft thick and then plant in the layers. It eventually breaks down and you just keep adding more to the pile. All you're basically doing is composting on the spot where your want to plant instead of having a separate pile.
Clay Soil
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 1:34:22 PM
