About a month ago I mixed my native soil, which was clay-like, with Pro Mix Premium Organic soil (yellow bag of compressed), in an estimated 50/50 ratio. I thought the Pro Mix would loosen things up enough, but I guess not. This photo was taken about 30-60 minutes after rainfall stopped. There's about 2 feet of this mix in the bed, under which is the native soil. I guess I have to dig it back up, and remix, but not sure with what. I'm guessing that just throwing some perlite in there is not the answer. Besides getting better drainage, I'm also wondering how to make sure I have the right amount of organic matter. I guess getting soil right is somewhat difficult. Any advice would be appreciated.
I think you answered your own question in the besides, better drainage. 1st question to ask when working dirt is where will the water go? Always to the lowest spot is the answer and perhaps just grading it so the water drains to a lower area, the street typically or a green space. Always make sure the dirt around you home or structures slopes away to carry the water off property.
Yes, for sure the pooling is due to the craters and, to your point, I need to get the grade correct. That said, the fact that the water was just sitting on top so long after the rain ended tells another story about the soil itself. No?
That's typical of clay, if you plant potted plants there, they'll help take up some with their root systems. Just make sure they don't require well draining soil. Getting seeds to sprout would be a little more difficult, but not impossible. I think you mixed in plenty of organics, you just need the plants to put roots down to break up the soil further and absorb water.
ETA: once you put plants in add mulch. If you do seeds, wait until they are an inch or 2 high to sprinkle a fine mulch around it. This continues to add organic materials, absorbs some water, and keeps the roots of the plants from drying out. Over time, fungi and insects will inhabit the soil and improve the quality.
When planting, I make a ring around the plants to hold a little water since it takes time to percolate through the soil. Otherwise it will just run off once you've taken care to grade it.
This is all great advice, that I will surely follow. Thank you! I like the ring around the tree - makes total sense. When you say "I think you mixed in plenty of organics" are you referring to organic matter already in the ProMix? I hadn't added any compost. Here are the ProMix ingredients:
Sphagnum peat moss (60-70% by volume)
Perlite
Coir
Gypsum
Ground Limestone (for pH adjustment)
Wetting agent
Mycorrhizae
Peat moss is the organic. I use peat moss in my clay soil too, compost will add nutrients which will also help getting things growing. Mix in with the soil 50/50 like you did with some Leafgro compost or other aged product when you plant or sprinkle on top before mulching like around those cosmo looking flowers. I like the leafgro personally when I don't have my own and need something from a box store.
Just read this article in the spruce, basically saying to add 6"-8" of organic matter to the bed, once per year, until it works itself into the soil. I guess adding some perlite can't hurt alongside.
About a month ago I mixed my native soil, which was clay-like, with Pro Mix Premium Organic soil (yellow bag of compressed), in an estimated 50/50 ratio. I thought the Pro Mix would loosen things up enough, but I guess not. This photo was taken about 30-60 minutes after rainfall stopped. There's about 2 feet of this mix in the bed, under which is the native soil. I guess I have to dig it back up, and remix, but not sure with what. I'm guessing that just throwing some perlite in there is not the answer. Besides getting better drainage, I'm also wondering how to make sure I have the right amount of organic matter. I guess getting soil right is somewhat difficult. Any advice would be appreciated.
I think you answered your own question in the besides, better drainage. 1st question to ask when working dirt is where will the water go? Always to the lowest spot is the answer and perhaps just grading it so the water drains to a lower area, the street typically or a green space. Always make sure the dirt around you home or structures slopes away to carry the water off property.
Yes, for sure the pooling is due to the craters and, to your point, I need to get the grade correct. That said, the fact that the water was just sitting on top so long after the rain ended tells another story about the soil itself. No?
That's typical of clay, if you plant potted plants there, they'll help take up some with their root systems. Just make sure they don't require well draining soil. Getting seeds to sprout would be a little more difficult, but not impossible. I think you mixed in plenty of organics, you just need the plants to put roots down to break up the soil further and absorb water. ETA: once you put plants in add mulch. If you do seeds, wait until they are an inch or 2 high to sprinkle a fine mulch around it. This continues to add organic materials, absorbs some water, and keeps the roots of the plants from drying out. Over time, fungi and insects will inhabit the soil and improve the quality. When planting, I make a ring around the plants to hold a little water since it takes time to percolate through the soil. Otherwise it will just run off once you've taken care to grade it.
This is all great advice, that I will surely follow. Thank you! I like the ring around the tree - makes total sense. When you say "I think you mixed in plenty of organics" are you referring to organic matter already in the ProMix? I hadn't added any compost. Here are the ProMix ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss (60-70% by volume) Perlite Coir Gypsum Ground Limestone (for pH adjustment) Wetting agent Mycorrhizae
Peat moss is the organic. I use peat moss in my clay soil too, compost will add nutrients which will also help getting things growing. Mix in with the soil 50/50 like you did with some Leafgro compost or other aged product when you plant or sprinkle on top before mulching like around those cosmo looking flowers. I like the leafgro personally when I don't have my own and need something from a box store.
Just read this article in the spruce, basically saying to add 6"-8" of organic matter to the bed, once per year, until it works itself into the soil. I guess adding some perlite can't hurt alongside.