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#1
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Clay soil & sharp sand
Can you suggest a simple solution to improve the drainage of my heavy clay soil. The area is approx 6ft by 4ft and has a slight dip. Hence after some rain fall, there is a pool of water. I have read that I can mix a sharp sand with the soil which would do the job. However, mixing sand and clay .. will this not make the soil more solid ? Thank you in advance for your response. Pete |
#2
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Clay soil & sharp sand
On Mon, 3 Feb 2003 20:24:39 -0000, "pp" wrote:
Can you suggest a simple solution to improve the drainage of my heavy clay soil. The area is approx 6ft by 4ft and has a slight dip. Hence after some rain fall, there is a pool of water. I have read that I can mix a sharp sand with the soil which would do the job. However, mixing sand and clay .. will this not make the soil more solid ? Thank you in advance for your response. I tried that with my heavy clay soil ( using horticultural sand ), and whilst it did lighten up the topsoil it didn't really improve the deep drainage. Worked fine with a moderate shower, but once it really rained I found the puddles formed again. I had much better results mixing in organic matter - and even better results by getting down to the subsoil and working it over ( with the addition of yet more organic matter ). The organic matter tends to increase the absorbtion capacity of the soil - and the addition of grit will help to open up the topsoil even more. Getting that subsoil opened up will mean that water won't be so inclined to 'sit' in the topsoil. You could also add soil conditioners. You can buy bags of this from your local recycling depot ( i.e. to local tip ), or at least you can from my local tip in Hants. It's a lot cheaper than horticultural sand, and doesn't make the soil feel quite so 'scratchy'. Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
#3
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Clay soil & sharp sand
Hi You must not put sand into clay, it will make the soil impervious and
likle cement. Put in lots of organic matter to fluff it up. Derryl in Calgary, Alberta Can you suggest a simple solution to improve the drainage of my heavy clay soil. The area is approx 6ft by 4ft and has a slight dip. Hence after some rain fall, there is a pool of water. I have read that I can mix a sharp sand with the soil which would do the job. However, mixing sand and clay .. will this not make the soil more solid ? Thank you in advance for your response. Pete |
#4
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Clay soil & sharp sand
In article , Derryl
Killan writes Hi You must not put sand into clay, Snip You must not put *builders* sand into clay, ...... -- hugh |
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