On 3/1/10 5:45 AM, EVP MAN wrote:

I think what your trying to tell me is NOT to double dig a garden. I
was only going to double dig it the first time as I only have about a
foot of top soil before I hit heavy clay. I kind of thought if I open
up this clay that it may help with drainage in the garden. I also
considered just double digging each planting hole when I set my plants
out rather than the entire bed.

Rich


Double digging will put the top soil under the clay and break up the
clay. That will indeed improve drainage. A generous application of
gypsum annually will also help.

If you are planting vegetables, the result should last about 10 years or
more. If you are planting a lawn, shrubs, and trees, you will only have
to do this once; those "permanent" plants will quickly send roots down
and continue the process.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary