We are not convinced that adding more calcium to the soil will break it up and lower the pH - people keep telling us to add gypsum. We mulch mow thinking the added organic matter will decompose and help soften the soil. We have built up garden rows with boards, add peat yearly, drip irrigate it. Still the water added to the garden is very hard and it seems efforts to lower the pH are lost by using well water. Our area is in a drought, so rain water is extremely limited. Extended overhead watering leaves a white scale on whatever.
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Add sand to the soil. The sand will filter the water and make it irrigate better. (loosen up the soil) Put one part sand to one part clay soil and till it together. We had to do that to our garden when I was growing up.
your local nursery specialist will have the right answers for you.
Check with them. Good luck happy gardening!
I live in a heavy clay area and the use of gypsum is a must. Also I use a soil conditioner which I mix with the broken down clay whenever I plant something. By using mulches and organic matter, the ph will be lowered. The gypsum should be worked into the soil and watered in well. You may have to repreat the procedure, or bring in some coarse soil and build your garden beds up. Sounds like you’re doing things right.
