Test your soil for clay before planting a garden.
Having clay soil is a common problem that many gardeners face. It is difficult to plant in and for plants to grow, and it hinders water drainage. If you determine that you do have clay soil using one of several testing methods, you can choose to deal with the issues and grow plants that tolerate clay soil, or amend it with coarse sand and organic matter.
Instructions
1. Grab a handful of soil, and crush it or crumble it up. If it feels like plastic and is sticky and won't break apart easily, you have clay soil.
2. Put 2 inches of soil into a quart-sized jar, and fill it about two-thirds of the way with water. Drop 1 tsp. of liquid dish detergent into the jar, and shake vigorously to mix it all up. In three or four days, measure the layer of clay with a ruler, which will be on top. If it has more clay than sand or silt, then you have clay soil.
3. Dig a hole that is 2 feet deep and 1 foot wide, and then fill it with water. After it drains, refill it, but this time, time how long it takes to drain. If it takes more than 12 hours, you have clay soil. This is a test to do along with another one, because it will tell you that the clay runs deep into the ground and your soil will always be a little bit slow to drain.
4. Send a soil sample to a cooperative extension service for testing, following the testing procedures it recommends. The service will test your soil for all kinds of issues, including clay content. The benefit of having your soil tested is that the company will recommend treatments for your soil bed.
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