How Do I Improve Clay Soil in Leland, North Carolina?
- 1). Test the soil pH, as recommended by the National Gardening Association for Leland, North Carolina. Use an at-home soil testing kit or send a soil sample to a local university or nursery for testing. North Carolina State University explains that many soils in North Carolina have an acidic pH that most plants do not prefer. The National Gardening Association recommends increasing the soil pH of acidic soils to a range between 6.3 and 6.8 for most garden plants, which gardeners can do by adding lime to the soil.
- 2). Add a layer of organic matter to the soil. The National Gardening Association explains that organic material helps clay soil have better drainage. Compost, manure, straw, grass clippings and leaves all help improve the texture of soil. The National Gardening Association suggests that gardeners in Leland, North Carolina, with clay soil apply a 2- or 3-inch layer of organic matter before planting.
- 3). Mix the organic material into the soil with a tiller, shovel or garden fork.
- 4). Use a mulch made out of organic matter around garden plants, as recommended by the National Gardening Association. The mulch will break down over time and contribute larger soil particles to the clay soil.
- 5). Continue to add more compost each year and the clay soil texture will continue improving over the years.
