Comments on: What is the best way to loosen soil/dirt/clay? http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/ Ground Engaging Equipment Fri, 18 May 2012 20:37:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: llsgakenia http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/comment-page-1/#comment-334 llsgakenia Sat, 18 Oct 2008 22:49:28 +0000 http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/#comment-334 pouring water will not help. If you are looking for immediate loosening, physically breaking the soil is the only way. Pick Ax, jack hammer, roto-tiller. For longterm soil conditioning, gypsum works. Also tilling in compost. Or planting a cover crop whose roots can break the hardpan - buckwheat is the usual choice. pouring water will not help.
If you are looking for immediate loosening, physically breaking the soil is the only way. Pick Ax, jack hammer, roto-tiller.

For longterm soil conditioning, gypsum works. Also tilling in compost. Or planting a cover crop whose roots can break the hardpan - buckwheat is the usual choice.

]]> By: LawnLandscaper http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/comment-page-1/#comment-333 LawnLandscaper Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:33:50 +0000 http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/#comment-333 Gypsum is a good option for conditioning soils you plan to plant in, but it sounds to me that your best bet would be to use a pick. Gypsum is a good option for conditioning soils you plan to plant in, but it sounds to me that your best bet would be to use a pick.

]]> By: dipper http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/comment-page-1/#comment-332 dipper Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:20:32 +0000 http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/#comment-332 I would not add water..talk about hard labor. .. Pick Mattock ,Cutter Mattock, Pick Axe I would get the pick axe in short handle. This tool will serve a good purpose for long term hand excavation in a hole fort. I am thinking you may want a garden fork for loosening soil. It is hard work I would not add water..talk about hard labor.
..
Pick Mattock ,Cutter Mattock, Pick Axe

I would get the pick axe in short handle. This tool will serve a good purpose for long term hand excavation in a hole fort.

I am thinking you may want a garden fork for loosening soil.

It is hard work

]]> By: Melissa H http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/comment-page-1/#comment-331 Melissa H Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:38:34 +0000 http://www.equipmentindustrialmachinery.com/garden-landscape/what-is-the-best-way-to-loosen-soildirtclay/#comment-331 I had this same problem as I was trying to plant trees, shrubs, flowering plants, etc. in a hard-packed, clay-based backyard...I needed holes, but couldn't make a dent! I'll tell you the miracle cure for breaking up clay dirt and keeping soil loose: GYPSUM! It comes in inexpensive bags and a little goes a long way. Just break up the dirt with a garden tool and work the gypsum into the soil. There should be instructions regarding ratios on the bag. Good Luck! I had this same problem as I was trying to plant trees, shrubs, flowering plants, etc. in a hard-packed, clay-based backyard…I needed holes, but couldn’t make a dent! I’ll tell you the miracle cure for breaking up clay dirt and keeping soil loose: GYPSUM! It comes in inexpensive bags and a little goes a long way. Just break up the dirt with a garden tool and work the gypsum into the soil. There should be instructions regarding ratios on the bag. Good Luck!

]]>