Search Results for: clay soil

Clay soil in drought 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Clay soil in drought 2022

I’ve often talked about clay soil but with this year’s drought conditions adding to last year, I felt like we should revisit the subject and what it means for us right now.

Clay soil IS nutrient rich.

It’s packed with pockets that hold water. Sandy soil just drains that delicious liquid away quickly. I can vouch for that as the City built my rain garden with a LOT of sand But we’re not  … [Continue reading]

Plants for clay soil

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Plants for clay soil

I just talked about how to love your clay soil… let’s talk today about plants that “love”/like/tolerate clay soil!

One of my favorites is Aster. The fall blooming, pollinator attracting, native handles clay while delivering plenty of small daisy-like flowers till frost.  AND, they’re hardy to zone 3. There are different kinds of asters, check the tags! 

Rudbeckia hirta, aka, Blackeyed susans are another zone 3 fall blooming plant. There are a  … [Continue reading]

Shrubs for clay soil

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Shrubs for clay soil

Clay soil, that thick, glue-like stuff, many of us have but wish we didn’t.

So what’s good about clay soil…  give me minute… okay, found some…

Clay soils are more fertile than many other soil types; each tiny clay particle is packed with places to hold on to water and fertilizer.

Plants can get a firm grip, their roots are more stabilized. So, with a clay soil you water less, fertilize less, get a  … [Continue reading]

Clay soil

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Clay soil

Who hasn’t had THIS dilemma somewhere in the midwest?  Clay soil!  When people ask how they can change their clay soil, I tell them the real question is WHAT can I plant in clay soil?

It’s always a great idea to add compost or manure to your soil but to try to change the basic soil structure is nearly impossible and a lot of work.  So….

Clay soil tolerant perennials:

  • Daylilies offer loads of choices with differing bloom
 … [Continue reading]

Soil structure and drainage

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Soil structure and drainage

Nothin’ sexier than soil structure and drainage! HA…

If you peruse descriptions of a particular plant’s needs, they almost all say, prefers “well-drained soil”.  That is soil that contains enough pores, the gaps between soil particles, to allow air and water to flow freely.  Ideally, the sand, silt and clay particles are arranged so they occupy only half of the space, leaving the other half as pore space.  A 50/50 split is primo. 

Most  … [Continue reading]

Got clay? Why that’s not a bad thing

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Got clay? Why that’s not a bad thing

There are many gardeners who have clay soil.  Most lament that fact but Proven Winners says you can learn to love it,  it just takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of elbow grease.  What IS clay soil?  It’s sticky and absorbs water slowly, when it dries out it can be crusty, lumpy and hardpacked. So far not lovin’ it.

HOWEVER, Clay soils are more fertile than many other  … [Continue reading]

The foundation of life: Soil

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The foundation of life: Soil

Yesterday I talked about getting a soil test.  And not just the kind from the big box store but through soil laboratories at University Extensions. Today, let’s talk soil.  It truly is the foundation of life!

Soil  holds the keys to a plant’s ability to take up nutrients, water and oxygen.  Soil also acts as a filter for rainwater, cleaning it as it makes it’s way into our aquifers.   If you prepare your  … [Continue reading]

Soil testing – is it important?

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Soil testing – is it important?

If you really want to get down and dirty, get a soil test. Why?  I’ll tell you!

As we begin our planting season, the soil may still be wet, so keep that in mind… a soil test is one of the best things you do can for your plants and yourself!

The University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin will give you a comprehensive report on what your soil consists of.   … [Continue reading]

Well drained soil – what does THAT mean?

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Well drained soil – what does THAT mean?

Nearly every plant catalog or tag says your plant wants “well-draining soil”. But what IS well draining soil?

It’s soil that contains enough pores, the gaps between soil particles, to allow air and water to flow freely.  Ideally, the sand, silt and clay particles are arranged so they occupy only half of the space, leaving the other half as pore space.  A 50/50 split is primo.

Now, most of us  … [Continue reading]

Soil structure and drainage

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Soil structure and drainage

While not a sexy subject… soil structure and drainage is a big deal!

 If you peruse descriptions of a particular plants needs, they almost all say, prefers “well-drained soil”.  What is that? It’s soil that contains enough pores, the gaps between soil particles, to allow air and water to flow freely.  Ideally, the sand, silt and clay particles are arranged so they occupy only half of the space, leaving the other half as pore  … [Continue reading]