Comments on: Soil Tilth And The No Till Garden

By: Adina

Adina — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:48:29 +0000

Yes absolutely. I read that Matsanobu Fukuoka used daikon radishes to work his clay soil. Each radish (daikons can be huge) breaks into the soil to a great depth, and of a decent breadth as well, and if not harvested it leaves a mass of organic material there where clay once was. I have found that just a two hands full pile of compost is enough to start a seed over bad soil. Once the seed is planted into the compost on top of the soil I cover the compost with straw or leaf mulch to protect the compost and its organisms. In addition to mustards and daikon radishes, I am sure there are many other deep rooted plants that help to work clayey soils.
Thanks for your comment V.

By: V St Clair

V St Clair — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:39:27 +0000

How about using green manures on clay soil? Depending on your climate of course – caliente mustard is reputed to be capable of rooting into hard clay pan, breaking it up. I guess you would sow it into a top layer of compost to get it established.

By: Adina

Adina — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 01:28:31 +0000

Thanks for your comment Sally. I think you have realized that if you offer lots of organic matter to the soil surface the invertebrates that come to consume it will also work it into your clay for you.

By: Sally Robertson

Sally Robertson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:08:55 +0000

Adina, I am doing the same as you. We started our garden in virgin soil here in the high (6300 ft. elevation) desert plains in Colorado about three years ago. Our garden is huge and it was not all planted until last year. Our soil is light brown in color and all clay. It bothers me to leave this clay as is and not till organic material into it. I don’t see how any roots could even push their way through it, though I see evidence that they do.

You say, ” The idea of soil as an ecosystem appeals to me. It easily fits into my view of the natural world.” Me too, it makes total sense to me.