Knowledgebase
Red Soil Mixing #781507
Asked February 08, 2022, 2:36 PM EST
McClain County Oklahoma
Expert Response
One option is to improve soil conditions by mixing in organic matter such as compost. This helps loosen the soil and improves drainage. Adding a 4 inch layer over the area to be gardened and then tilling it in as deep as you can (at least 6 inches deep) to mix it evenly with the existing soil will usually do wonders. This can be done yearly as needed when you change out your crops. Other techniques include planting cover crops.
Another option would be to build raised beds or garden in containers. That way you control the soil going into the beds and containers and it is sometimes easier to manage.
For more information on improving garden soil see our fact sheets -
HLA-6436 Healthy Garden Soils
PSS-2257 Building Soil Organic Matter for a Sustainable Organic Crop
PSS-2264 Straw Bale Bed: A Way to Garden While Building Soil
E-1003 Oklahoma Homeowner's Handbook for Soil and Nutrient Management
HLA-6458 Container Gardening
HLA-6033 Raised Bed Gardening
HLA-6455 Construction of Table Gardens
HLA-6501 Sustainable Landscapes: Creating a Hügelkultur for Gardening
Many more fact sheets can be found at https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/index.html
You can also contact your local OSU McClain County Extension Office for additional assistance.