Expert: Greg - 5/12/2004

Question
Hi,

We just bought a house in Blackwell Mo.and the contractor put fill dirt in that is soooo sticky
and (clayie) that you can hardly get the shovel out of the ground. What can I do to improve the soil or should I just take it all out of my flower beds and put in new ? I did put in some perrinals
like coneflower and salvia and they did come back this year. We moved here last august.
The bulbs that I put in last fall did very well.
Thanks, Elsie


Answer
Hello Elsie

First I must ask you. Do you have access to a Landscape Contractor or a place where you can buy Compost by the Yard?

In my state <Michigan> we have community composting centers where you can get this, and its FREE as long as you haul it out of there. If you buy it, it should run you about 30 dollars a Yard. You will have to Till this in with the Heavy Clay Soil to a depth of 6-8". I never said this would be easy. Don't skimp on the Compost either, the more the better, about a 2-1 Ratio of Compost to Soil. Take your Time with this and do it right, and you will be well rewarded.

The Best of Luck
Greg