How to recover from having worked "wet" soil? - Ask Extension
My garden has been covered with leaves over the winter, so the soil is still quite wet.
I pulled back the leaves, to warm and dry it, but I admit I d...
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How to recover from having worked "wet" soil? #868053
Asked May 12, 2024, 8:29 AM EDT
My garden has been covered with leaves over the winter, so the soil is still quite wet.
I pulled back the leaves, to warm and dry it, but I admit I did a bit of digging too early, in the wetness.
Now what is the best way to recover from those hard lumps that formed?
I do no-till, so breaking them that way is not an option.
Is there another option besides smashing each clump with my hand cultivator?
Chisago County Minnesota
Expert Response
Oops, to repair it compost can be mixed in and rain and snow and frost heave will break up the lumps, or break up the lumps in planting holes and mulch the rest of the bed.
Compaction can be cured by planting plants with very deep roots like comfrey, natives, lead plant etc although you will have to let them grow for a year and then cut them down and leave the roots to rot.
Take heart every gardener has done this usually more than once.
Compaction can be cured by planting plants with very deep roots like comfrey, natives, lead plant etc although you will have to let them grow for a year and then cut them down and leave the roots to rot.
Take heart every gardener has done this usually more than once.
