Fixing Garden Soil That Dries Too Fast and Crusts Over

Question: My Toronto garden has clay-sand mix over sand base. Soil crusts in summer (maybe calcium carbonate). Six years of adding leaves and garden waste hasn't improved soil character—organic matter disappears. Soil is poor, won't grow root vegetables. What can I do?

Ongoing Improvement Strategy

Organic matter does "disappear"—like a farmer, you must till and loosen yearly. Continue adding organic matter with coarser material like finely chopped pine bark (available bulk or bagged). Don't over-improve: 1-2 inches tilled into top 6-8 inches is enough. Check pH—keep it 6.5-7.

Additional Recommendations

• Add humates (liquid or granular) 3-4 times per year—slow but significant improvement over a couple years.
• Introduce red wiggler worms occasionally from a bait shop.
• Use balanced fertilizer with micronutrients.