I bought this house and started this garden 13 years ago. The native soil is clay. Well it might have been better before the years of cotton farming. However, after that, all that was left of the soil was clay. Over the years I have amended this soil with tons of compost. I used to dig it into each plot a couple of times a year. I don't do that anymore. I just mulch with finished compost, shredded leaves, coffee grinds or the neighbors grass clippings. The soil is now beautiful, friable, drains well and smells good. It is a pleasure to work in it. Weeds pull out easily and flowers, herbs and vegetable thrive.
Today I went and volunteered to work at the local middle school. The campus is less than I mile from our home. There is a very dedicated teacher who is leading the Environmental Club. She and the club put in a flower bed in front of the school last spring. They amended the soil with compost and used mulch. Today we were planting tulip bulbs in that flower bed. Under that heavy layer of mulch was wet, sticky, heavy clay. I think it could have been used as modeling clay. It stuck to everything and had no humus at all. After a few years of mulching, they will have the same crumbly, sweet soil I have in my garden.
I hope those children don't get discouraged by that soil and give up gardening.
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I get discouraged by the heavy clay soil you are talking about. We have mulched so much over the years..and I think it's better until I dig deeper..then hit clay. I am just about to give up!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post, Debbi! Haul the class over to your house and show them what mulch and compost will do!!!!
ReplyDeleteYOU are awesome... I love your blog and being friends with you in the Garden Network is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
My soil has improved bit by bit in the 7 years I've lived here. I can never generate enough compost for areas larger than my veggie beds, but even just growing plants helps. I also use leaves as mulch. My mom used grass clippings as mulch and turned them in. Her soil is just like yours; wonderful and easy to work in. Mine's not, but it does have a ton more earthworms than it did and my plants all seem happy!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Is asking after the progress of my knitted bag going to be crass? ... :)
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ReplyDeleteIsn't mulch great? I guess the sand I live in shouldn't be complained about too much. The mulch did work great for my blackberry bushes. I hope I am able to get my hands on more so all of my berry patches can be pampered.
ReplyDeleteKnowing you Debbi, you're not only teaching them about gardening, but you're also teaching them about patience, so they won't be fazed by a bit of clay at all.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful new year :)