How Do You Loosen Clay Soil For Planting?
Soil with good drainage is an important requirement for creating a beautiful garden. Some gardeners are fortunate to live in areas with rich black soil, but in many parts of the country, clay-based soil is the norm. Clay soil is dense and compact. Water and air cannot move through it easily, seedlings struggle to break through the hard surface, and it can cause your plants’ roots to be stunted. To successfully garden in clay soil, you must be prepared to spend time amending the soil with organic matter. This will make it a better growing environment for your plants. Turn the soil in your garden site with a shovel to loosen it. Dig 8 to 12 inches down from the surface so that you can get good penetration and then turn that soil over. Turning clay soil this way helps to aerate the soil and makes it easier for you to amend it with the organic matter. Remove any large rocks, stones, sticks, or debris you may have found while digging. Use the shovel to break apart any obviously large clumps
