Crust Forming on Clay Soil - Ask Extension
Background: A crust keeps forming on the surface of my clay soil. I've added pine straw as a mulch on the surface and have tried a paper cover, both h...
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Crust Forming on Clay Soil #869280
Asked May 20, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT
Background: A crust keeps forming on the surface of my clay soil. I've added pine straw as a mulch on the surface and have tried a paper cover, both helped a little. I'm trying not to water my crops daily as the soil underneath is still moist.
Question: will adding compost/ lawn clippings to the soil stop the crust from forming? Are there other plastic-free options that you'd suggest? Thank you in advance
Butler County Ohio
Expert Response
Thanks for contacting OSU Extension. Soil crusting and compaction can occur a few different ways but the most common is due to rainfall on tilled soils & lower organic matter. Amending the Soil with more organic matter to a level of 5% of soil is Organic Matter will help but may not totally prevent it. Covering the soil before a heavy rainfall will help, mulches like straw or other in the rows and around plants in the garden will reduce the direct raindrop to open soil contact. Using a hand held hoe to break up crusting will also help. May not be easy to control in a large area situation, that is where rotary hoes or cultivators would be needed to break up the surface some. See below to learn more.
https://extension.umn.edu/growing-small-grains/soil-crusting-and-emergence-problems#unseeded-fields-788860 Soil crusting and emergence problems
https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2009/05/pay-attention-soil-crusting-after-heavy-rain-events Pay Attention to Soil Crusting After Heavy Rain Events
https://extension.psu.edu/soil-crusting Soil Crusting
https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/soil-crust-busters Soil crust-busters
JT Benitez
OSU Extension, Butler County
ANR Educator
https://extension.umn.edu/growing-small-grains/soil-crusting-and-emergence-problems#unseeded-fields-788860 Soil crusting and emergence problems
https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2009/05/pay-attention-soil-crusting-after-heavy-rain-events Pay Attention to Soil Crusting After Heavy Rain Events
https://extension.psu.edu/soil-crusting Soil Crusting
https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/soil-crust-busters Soil crust-busters
JT Benitez
OSU Extension, Butler County
ANR Educator
