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Hard soil
I'm trying to get revved up for the weekend lawn job....
How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. Good news is that the pH and nutrients for the entire yard, including this bare area, were the same. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. |
Hard soil
On Thu, 26 Jun 2014 15:22:15 -0800, Guv Bob wrote:
I'm trying to get revved up for the weekend lawn job.... How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. Good news is that the pH and nutrients for the entire yard, including this bare area, were the same. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. How did it get so hard? Vehicles, traffic? Chemical composition? How much time do you have? (Roots can do wonders) How much area? (Is hand labor out of the question) Is it worth doing? My experience is that rototillers don't work - they just scoot over really hard soil. Good luck! |
Hard soil
On 6/26/2014 4:22 PM, Guv Bob wrote:
I'm trying to get revved up for the weekend lawn job.... How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. Good news is that the pH and nutrients for the entire yard, including this bare area, were the same. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. Is your soil mostly clay? If so, try the following. Broadcast enough gypsum over the area to coat the soil about 1/8 inch. Lightly sprinkle with water, just enough to dampen the gypsum. On the next day, water the area lightly, enough to start dissolving the gypsum but not enough to rinse any away. Repeat every-other day until all the gypsum is dissolved and rinsed into the soil. Wait two days. Then dig. By now, you might even be able to use a power rototiller. As you dig or till, stir a 6 inch layer of peat moss to a depth of 12 inches; this will help prevent the soil from hardening again. Note that this process is NOT a one-weekend task. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) reacts chemically with clay to make it porous and granular, thus breaking it up so that it can be tilled. Unfortunately, it eventually leaches away, leaving heavy, sticky clay. Thus, you will have to apply more gypsum periodically (every 2-3 years). My lot is almost 1/5 acre, including the footprint of my house, the short driveway into my garage, and a patio. Every other year, I apply approximately 250 pounds of gypsum to my entire garden, front and back, except for the steep hill at the far back. (I do not apply gypsum to the hill because I paid a fortune to have it regraded and compacted when it failed in 2005. Gypsum would undo the compacting and create the risk of a new failure.) In the years when I do not apply gypsum throughout my garden, I still apply it to my camellias and azaleas. Here (southern California) gypsum runs about $9 for a 50-pound sack. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
Hard soil
"David E. Ross" wrote in message ...
On 6/26/2014 4:22 PM, Guv Bob wrote: I'm trying to get revved up for the weekend lawn job.... How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. Good news is that the pH and nutrients for the entire yard, including this bare area, were the same. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. Is your soil mostly clay? If so, try the following. Broadcast enough gypsum over the area to coat the soil about 1/8 inch. Lightly sprinkle with water, just enough to dampen the gypsum. On the next day, water the area lightly, enough to start dissolving the gypsum but not enough to rinse any away. Repeat every-other day until all the gypsum is dissolved and rinsed into the soil. Wait two days. Then dig. By now, you might even be able to use a power rototiller. As you dig or till, stir a 6 inch layer of peat moss to a depth of 12 inches; this will help prevent the soil from hardening again. Note that this process is NOT a one-weekend task. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) reacts chemically with clay to make it porous and granular, thus breaking it up so that it can be tilled. Unfortunately, it eventually leaches away, leaving heavy, sticky clay. Thus, you will have to apply more gypsum periodically (every 2-3 years). My lot is almost 1/5 acre, including the footprint of my house, the short driveway into my garage, and a patio. Every other year, I apply approximately 250 pounds of gypsum to my entire garden, front and back, except for the steep hill at the far back. (I do not apply gypsum to the hill because I paid a fortune to have it regraded and compacted when it failed in 2005. Gypsum would undo the compacting and create the risk of a new failure.) In the years when I do not apply gypsum throughout my garden, I still apply it to my camellias and azaleas. Here (southern California) gypsum runs about $9 for a 50-pound sack. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary What about a power aerator or a slitter? I've got one of these manual aerators, but can't use on the hard patches: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2012/01/...er_s3x4_lg.jpg Slitter: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2012/01/...er_s4x3_lg.jpg |
Hard soil
On 6/27/2014 8:38 AM, Guv Bob wrote:
"David E. Ross" wrote in message ... On 6/26/2014 4:22 PM, Guv Bob wrote: I'm trying to get revved up for the weekend lawn job.... How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. Good news is that the pH and nutrients for the entire yard, including this bare area, were the same. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. Is your soil mostly clay? If so, try the following. Broadcast enough gypsum over the area to coat the soil about 1/8 inch. Lightly sprinkle with water, just enough to dampen the gypsum. On the next day, water the area lightly, enough to start dissolving the gypsum but not enough to rinse any away. Repeat every-other day until all the gypsum is dissolved and rinsed into the soil. Wait two days. Then dig. By now, you might even be able to use a power rototiller. As you dig or till, stir a 6 inch layer of peat moss to a depth of 12 inches; this will help prevent the soil from hardening again. Note that this process is NOT a one-weekend task. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) reacts chemically with clay to make it porous and granular, thus breaking it up so that it can be tilled. Unfortunately, it eventually leaches away, leaving heavy, sticky clay. Thus, you will have to apply more gypsum periodically (every 2-3 years). My lot is almost 1/5 acre, including the footprint of my house, the short driveway into my garage, and a patio. Every other year, I apply approximately 250 pounds of gypsum to my entire garden, front and back, except for the steep hill at the far back. (I do not apply gypsum to the hill because I paid a fortune to have it regraded and compacted when it failed in 2005. Gypsum would undo the compacting and create the risk of a new failure.) In the years when I do not apply gypsum throughout my garden, I still apply it to my camellias and azaleas. Here (southern California) gypsum runs about $9 for a 50-pound sack. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary What about a power aerator or a slitter? I've got one of these manual aerators, but can't use on the hard patches: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2012/01/...er_s3x4_lg.jpg Slitter: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2012/01/...er_s4x3_lg.jpg Again, IF YOUR SOIL IS MOSTLY CLAY, you should treat it with gypsum before trying anything else to improve its tilth. From your description, I don't think an aerator -- even a power aerator -- will work on the hardest parts of your soil without prior treatment. After using gypsum, you will find that an aerator will work very well. Just be sure you are using the kind that extracts plugs of soil (they look like dog droppings) and not the kind that merely pokes holes. The latter will cause more compaction and make things worse. However, for a first-time treatment, I would recommend rototilling organic matter into the soil after the gypsum treatment. This will have long-lasting benefits. While I suggested peat moss, you should also consider other forms of organic matter such as manure or coarse compost. I would not add sawdust since it decomposes too quickly and absorbs too much nitrogen in the process. The slitter might actually make things worse by compacting the soil. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
Hard soil
On 6/27/2014 10:23 AM, David E. Ross wrote:
On 6/27/2014 8:38 AM, Guv Bob wrote: "David E. Ross" wrote in message ... On 6/26/2014 4:22 PM, Guv Bob wrote: I'm trying to get revved up for the weekend lawn job.... How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. Good news is that the pH and nutrients for the entire yard, including this bare area, were the same. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. Is your soil mostly clay? If so, try the following. Broadcast enough gypsum over the area to coat the soil about 1/8 inch. Lightly sprinkle with water, just enough to dampen the gypsum. On the next day, water the area lightly, enough to start dissolving the gypsum but not enough to rinse any away. Repeat every-other day until all the gypsum is dissolved and rinsed into the soil. Wait two days. Then dig. By now, you might even be able to use a power rototiller. As you dig or till, stir a 6 inch layer of peat moss to a depth of 12 inches; this will help prevent the soil from hardening again. Note that this process is NOT a one-weekend task. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) reacts chemically with clay to make it porous and granular, thus breaking it up so that it can be tilled. Unfortunately, it eventually leaches away, leaving heavy, sticky clay. Thus, you will have to apply more gypsum periodically (every 2-3 years). My lot is almost 1/5 acre, including the footprint of my house, the short driveway into my garage, and a patio. Every other year, I apply approximately 250 pounds of gypsum to my entire garden, front and back, except for the steep hill at the far back. (I do not apply gypsum to the hill because I paid a fortune to have it regraded and compacted when it failed in 2005. Gypsum would undo the compacting and create the risk of a new failure.) In the years when I do not apply gypsum throughout my garden, I still apply it to my camellias and azaleas. Here (southern California) gypsum runs about $9 for a 50-pound sack. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary What about a power aerator or a slitter? I've got one of these manual aerators, but can't use on the hard patches: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2012/01/...er_s3x4_lg.jpg Slitter: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2012/01/...er_s4x3_lg.jpg Again, IF YOUR SOIL IS MOSTLY CLAY, you should treat it with gypsum before trying anything else to improve its tilth. From your description, I don't think an aerator -- even a power aerator -- will work on the hardest parts of your soil without prior treatment. After using gypsum, you will find that an aerator will work very well. Just be sure you are using the kind that extracts plugs of soil (they look like dog droppings) and not the kind that merely pokes holes. The latter will cause more compaction and make things worse. However, for a first-time treatment, I would recommend rototilling organic matter into the soil after the gypsum treatment. This will have long-lasting benefits. While I suggested peat moss, you should also consider other forms of organic matter such as manure or coarse compost. I would not add sawdust since it decomposes too quickly and absorbs too much nitrogen in the process. The slitter might actually make things worse by compacting the soil. By the way, I DO NOT have investment in any gypsum mining, processing, or marketing business. I just know that I have good results from using gypsum. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
Hard soil
Guv Bob wrote:
How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. An aerator won't do much on hard-pack adobe like soil except break the aerator... aerators only poke holes, some extract plugs, but they are meant for reasonably soft soil that may be slightly compacted from foot traffic. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. That kind of soil won't let you grow much, let alone a lawn. First where are you located? Geographical location plays a large part in soil conditions. In many parts of the US southwest the soil is indeed like cured concrete, breaking it up will will only result in it going back to hard after the first couple of heavy rains... then the best tack to take is to haul in lots of good top soil and do your planting in that... it would cost too much to amend the type of soil you describe and it won't be long any organic amendment will decompose like it was never there. |
Hard soil
On 6/27/2014 2:47 PM, Guv Bob wrote:
"Brooklyn1" wrote in message ... Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. An aerator won't do much on hard-pack adobe like soil except break the aerator... aerators only poke holes, some extract plugs, but they are meant for reasonably soft soil that may be slightly compacted from foot traffic. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. That kind of soil won't let you grow much, let alone a lawn. First where are you located? Geographical location plays a large part in soil conditions. In many parts of the US southwest the soil is indeed like cured concrete, breaking it up will will only result in it going back to hard after the first couple of heavy rains... then the best tack to take is to haul in lots of good top soil and do your planting in that... it would cost too much to amend the type of soil you describe and it won't be long any organic amendment will decompose like it was never there. Thanks. So Cal. According to a county site report for a shopping center in the area, it has a base of older alluvial interbedded silty clay and clay, overlain by interlayered sandy gravel and silty clay. Thus, you likely have enough clay that gypsum would be appropriate. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
Hard soil
"Brooklyn1" wrote in message ...
Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. An aerator won't do much on hard-pack adobe like soil except break the aerator... aerators only poke holes, some extract plugs, but they are meant for reasonably soft soil that may be slightly compacted from foot traffic. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. That kind of soil won't let you grow much, let alone a lawn. First where are you located? Geographical location plays a large part in soil conditions. In many parts of the US southwest the soil is indeed like cured concrete, breaking it up will will only result in it going back to hard after the first couple of heavy rains... then the best tack to take is to haul in lots of good top soil and do your planting in that... it would cost too much to amend the type of soil you describe and it won't be long any organic amendment will decompose like it was never there. Thanks. So Cal. According to a county site report for a shopping center in the area, it has a base of older alluvial interbedded silty clay and clay, overlain by interlayered sandy gravel and silty clay. |
Hard soil
On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:10:37 -0800, "Guv Bob"
wrote: "David E. Ross" wrote in message ... On 6/27/2014 2:47 PM, Guv Bob wrote: "Brooklyn1" wrote in message ... Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. An aerator won't do much on hard-pack adobe like soil except break the aerator... aerators only poke holes, some extract plugs, but they are meant for reasonably soft soil that may be slightly compacted from foot traffic. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. That kind of soil won't let you grow much, let alone a lawn. First where are you located? Geographical location plays a large part in soil conditions. In many parts of the US southwest the soil is indeed like cured concrete, breaking it up will will only result in it going back to hard after the first couple of heavy rains... then the best tack to take is to haul in lots of good top soil and do your planting in that... it would cost too much to amend the type of soil you describe and it won't be long any organic amendment will decompose like it was never there. Thanks. So Cal. According to a county site report for a shopping center in the area, it has a base of older alluvial interbedded silty clay and clay, overlain by interlayered sandy gravel and silty clay. Thus, you likely have enough clay that gypsum would be appropriate. The charts say all the grasses I have required 6-7pH. Soil is 6.5-7.0 more or less. I thought gypsum would make it alkaline. Gypsom is a crap shoot for loosening compacted soil regardless but for certain it will make your soil extremely alkaline and once there will be near impossible to remediate. Were it me I'd break up the existing soil as best I can and then find a source for good top soil and calculate how many cubic yards to put in a six inch depth. I'd be sure to place landscaping blocks at the down hill perimeters to retain your topsoil in heavy downpours... it doesn't rain often in So Cal but when it does it could easily be a deluge that washes away soil, and that's why the soil there is so **** poor. I lived in So Cal for several years, I know of what I speak. I had a Greek neighbor when I lived in Pasadena who would instruct all his visitors to bring as much top soil as they could from his home state of Ohio for his fig and olive trees. Where I live now (in the Hudson River valley) I have some of the best top soil on the planet, I can dig down six feet and still be into rich black earth. |
Hard soil
"David E. Ross" wrote in message ...
On 6/27/2014 2:47 PM, Guv Bob wrote: "Brooklyn1" wrote in message ... Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. An aerator won't do much on hard-pack adobe like soil except break the aerator... aerators only poke holes, some extract plugs, but they are meant for reasonably soft soil that may be slightly compacted from foot traffic. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. That kind of soil won't let you grow much, let alone a lawn. First where are you located? Geographical location plays a large part in soil conditions. In many parts of the US southwest the soil is indeed like cured concrete, breaking it up will will only result in it going back to hard after the first couple of heavy rains... then the best tack to take is to haul in lots of good top soil and do your planting in that... it would cost too much to amend the type of soil you describe and it won't be long any organic amendment will decompose like it was never there. Thanks. So Cal. According to a county site report for a shopping center in the area, it has a base of older alluvial interbedded silty clay and clay, overlain by interlayered sandy gravel and silty clay. Thus, you likely have enough clay that gypsum would be appropriate. The charts say all the grasses I have required 6-7pH. Soil is 6.5-7.0 more or less. I thought gypsum would make it alkaline. |
Hard soil
Guv Bob wrote:
"David E. Ross" wrote in message ... On 6/27/2014 2:47 PM, Guv Bob wrote: "Brooklyn1" wrote in message ... Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. An aerator won't do much on hard-pack adobe like soil except break the aerator... aerators only poke holes, some extract plugs, but they are meant for reasonably soft soil that may be slightly compacted from foot traffic. Most of the soil is fairly easy to dig down 2-3 inches, but about 1/4 of the back yard is bare & hard as a rock. When I was taking soil samples, I had to use a pick to get down that far. But the whole yard is dry and hard deeper than 3-4 inches. That kind of soil won't let you grow much, let alone a lawn. First where are you located? Geographical location plays a large part in soil conditions. In many parts of the US southwest the soil is indeed like cured concrete, breaking it up will will only result in it going back to hard after the first couple of heavy rains... then the best tack to take is to haul in lots of good top soil and do your planting in that... it would cost too much to amend the type of soil you describe and it won't be long any organic amendment will decompose like it was never there. Thanks. So Cal. According to a county site report for a shopping center in the area, it has a base of older alluvial interbedded silty clay and clay, overlain by interlayered sandy gravel and silty clay. Thus, you likely have enough clay that gypsum would be appropriate. The charts say all the grasses I have required 6-7pH. Soil is 6.5-7.0 more or less. I thought gypsum would make it alkaline. No it will not alter the pH. As others have said you have a choice. Quick: bring in topsoil, re-seed or turf in one go, more expensive and more hard work in a short period, still not a bad solution if you can afford it. Slow: fix what you have. Gypsum or other clay breaker treatments, adding organic matter, re-seed progressively. This will work in the long run and be cheaper but it will take perseverance and a sustained effort. Which is better depends on you and your situation. David |
Hard soil
In alt.home.lawn.garden Guv Bob wrote:
How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. If your soil is like mine, there's a very narrow range of moisure levels at which it's workable. I understand local farmers refer to it as "36 hour soil", which is the schedule window for plowing. Too wet and it's like warm tar, too dry and it's extremely hard. In the middle, it's rather crumbly. I'd soak a patch and poke it each day after. _Maybe_ you'll find a day when it's workable. HTH, bob prohaska |
Hard soil
User Bp wrote:
In alt.home.lawn.garden Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. If your soil is like mine, there's a very narrow range of moisure levels at which it's workable. I understand local farmers refer to it as "36 hour soil", which is the schedule window for plowing. Too wet and it's like warm tar, too dry and it's extremely hard. In the middle, it's rather crumbly. I'd soak a patch and poke it each day after. _Maybe_ you'll find a day when it's workable. HTH, bob prohaska Hereabouts this is called "Sunday soil", too wet to work on Saturday and too dry by Monday. The problem with working it on Sunday is that it will always stay the same, you haven't addressed the problem of why it is so hard on Monday. D |
Hard soil
"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message ...
User Bp wrote: In alt.home.lawn.garden Guv Bob wrote: How's a good way to break up hard soil? Since it's all level, my first thought is to soak it good for a couple of days. I wonder if renting an aerator might also be good. If your soil is like mine, there's a very narrow range of moisure levels at which it's workable. I understand local farmers refer to it as "36 hour soil", which is the schedule window for plowing. Too wet and it's like warm tar, too dry and it's extremely hard. In the middle, it's rather crumbly. I'd soak a patch and poke it each day after. _Maybe_ you'll find a day when it's workable. HTH, bob prohaska Hereabouts this is called "Sunday soil", too wet to work on Saturday and too dry by Monday. The problem with working it on Sunday is that it will always stay the same, you haven't addressed the problem of why it is so hard on Monday. Appreciate all the good info. For breaking up the soil, what about adding a weak solution of detergent as a wetting agent in one of these hose attachments? http://www.walmart.com/ip/21065376?w...546436&veh=sem |
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