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Red Soil Mixing #781507

Asked February 08, 2022, 2:36 PM EST

I have very hard red clay dirt and have never planted a garden or flower beds. What do you suggest to do, to the soil to make it a good source of dirt to raise anything in, especially vegetables. Thanks, Judy Hoover Newcastle, OK

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.
 

David Hillock Replied February 08, 2022, 5:45 PM EST

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