Question
Hi folks,
We have an organic garden that has very heavy soil in one area (clay). I've used layers of leaves, crops of buckwheat, and much manure...not much help.
This garden is about 12 years old, and is used every year. Although a few years half has been rested.
Any ideas??
Thank you in advance...
Dave

Answer
Hi,

For information on soil building, please visit our website:  http://www.avant-gardening.com/ogardening.htm

Check the pH of your soil.  If it is acid you can add organic compost, shredded alfalfa hay, vermiculite, and composted manure.  If it is alkaline, you can add gypsum (which will also add calcium and lower the pH), peat moss, vermiculite, shredded alfalfa hay, and composted manure.  

If you just keep working with the soil, over time, with enough soil amendments it will improve.  You can also just dig out the clay and add soil from a different area of your garden.

A heavy mulch of shredded alfalfa hay (4 inches) tilled into the soil in the fall to breakdown all winter will also help. I would mulch it again with another 4 inches of alfalfa hay after tilling the 4 inches into the soil.  

In the spring, till it in again, and re-mulch.  Mulching not only keeps the soil temperatures constant, it also retains moisture.  And when you turn it into the soil two times a year, you are adding a lot of humus to the soil, which will, over time counteract the effects of a clay soil.