How to Change Clay Soil to Loamy Soil
- 1). Take a handful of soil and roll it into a ball to test the texture, also called soil profile, in your garden. Clay soil rolls into a tight, slick ball and does not break apart easily.
- 2). Spread 2 inches of manure or compost over the garden bed or use a mixture of half manure and half compost. Use seasoned manure or compost that is fully decomposed. Good compost should be rich and dark in color and have a pleasant earthy aroma. Avoid anything that smells like rotten food.
- 3). Work the compost or manure deep into the garden soil. Use a shovel, garden fork or tiller to turn over the top 12 inches of soil. Work the soil until the organic matter is thoroughly mixed in.
- 4). Test the soil texture again by taking a handful of soil from the worked area. Roll it into a ball. If it still forms a hard, slick ball, the soil requires further amendments.
- 5). Spread a 4-inch layer of leaf mold, sawdust or chipped bark over the area or add a second 2-inch layer of compost or manure. Work the additional material into the top 12 inches of the garden bed.
- 6). Repeat the soil test to determine the soil texture. Loamy soil forms a loose ball that feels gritty on your hands. With a light squeeze, the soil ball should crumble.
- 7). Repeat the soil amendment process each spring. Work garden soil once it has dried slightly. Cold, wet soil will compact if worked too early, undoing all your work from last year.
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