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Clay. Even the word sounds heavy and thick to a gardener. Opinions on how to best deal with it range from adding copious amounts of organic matter every year for 15 years to digging the clay out and replace it with good soil. In 2003, the use of expanded shale in amending clay soil began to be touted as the one magic thing that made a lasting difference in the composition of heavy clay soil. Enough time has passed and some information is coming in on the long term results and it is pretty positive.
Clay itself is the finest of soil particles and very rich in nutrients. The problem is that when water is added the fine particles stick together and easily becomes compacted into unwieldy clumps. Only certain plants can break through a heavy clay soil. Other plants simply do not have the root strength to survive. Amending clay soil with additives is done to improve the drainage and separate the clay particles so roots can access the nutrients it holds. Gardeners have added coarse sand, compost, leaves, manure, straw, grass cuttings, gypsum and coffee grounds to clay in attempts to change the soil structure of their gardens with mixed results. The worst of which is finding they have created their own personal concrete recipe when the warm weather dries the soil out.
In December of 2003, Dr. Douglas Welsh, Professor & Landscape Horticulturist, Texas A&M University wrote a paper on how expanded shale could be used for amending clay soil. The Texas Cooperative Extension Office reported that a two year research study coupled with a six year field trial revealed that expanded shale was more effective than any other additive ever tested. The projection was that the lightweight expanded shale would make a permanent change in the soil structure after only one application of 3 inches of expanded shale and 3 inches of organic matter was tilled in six to eight inches deep. Dr. Steve George of the Texas Cooperative Extension estimated the benefits would last a minimum of ten years. He also said if he had to recommend only add one ingredient for amending clay soil it would be expanded shale.
Today expanded shale is widely available at landscape yards, nurseries, and home improvement stores. Gardeners still use a combination of all the traditional additives for amending clay soils, but expanded shale has proven itself as effective as projected. As the word spreads, more and more gardeners are opting for the easier, more permanent application of expanded shale over adding vast amounts of other amendments for years before getting the same results.
Old ideas die hard in the gardening world. Gardening advise continues to be printed on the best ways to improve clay soil that echo what people have done for decades. A new option that improves the soil structure rather than trying to change the texture is available and gardeners are warming up to the new idea. Expanded shale is the thing for amending clay soil!
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about soil and fertilizer management and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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