The 5 Best Natural Fixes for Clay Soil, According to Gardening Experts

There are many different types of garden soil, and they all have their pros and cons. One of the more challenging soil types to work with is clay. While clay soil contains many nutrients plants need to survive, it is composed of fine minerals that impede water drainage, sometimes making it hard for plant roots to breathe. If you have clay soil in your garden, don't worry. There are many ways to make this soil type easier to plant in. Ahead, we are sharing the best ways to improve clay soil in your garden without using synthetic chemicals, according to gardening experts.

Meet the Experts

• Lauren Click, founder and executive director of Let’s Go Compost, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making composting free and accessible across the United States

• Chad Franer, garden expert and The Tom & Nora Hiatt Director of Horticulture at Newfields

• Sam Tall, garden expert and the second-generation owner of City Farmers Nursery in San Diego, California, which has been operating for more than 50 years.

Use Compost

Amending your soil with compost is one of the most effective ways to improve clay soil. "Compost, when added frequently, can create looser, healthier soil that supports more plant growth than traditional clay soil," says Lauren Click, founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost. This is because compost changes the soil structure, reducing compaction and improving aeration, she says. For the best results, she recommends using high-quality finished compost. "Look for compost that’s dark, crumbly, and fully finished," she says. This compost will be free of contaminants and offer a rich source of nutrients, making it great for amending clay soil.

Avoid Compaction

Clay soil is already denser and more compact than other types of soil. Make sure the problem isn't worsened by compacting the soil even further. According to Chad Franer, garden expert at Newfields, limiting foot traffic by not walking through beds, especially when the clay soil is wet, is one way to avoid compaction.

Also, avoid working or tilling the soil when it is wet, as this compacts the soil and damages the structure. "The tiller can make [the clay soil] seem loose, but it quickly turns into very hard soil with no structure or airspace," says Franer. Instead, he recommends using a broad fork or a lifting fork to break up the clay without turning the soil. This should be done in the spring or fall to allow organic matter to penetrate deeper into the soil.

Add Mulch

Adding mulch helps retain soil moisture and suppresses weeds, improving clay soil over time. Many types of mulch consist of organic material and work great in clay soil, says Franer. Mulch made from leaves, aged wood chips, aged manure, or worm castings are just some examples. "These all work great, but the most available are leaves, which are rich in nutrients," he says.

Plant Cover Crops

Cover crops are plants grown specifically to improve soil quality and are not usually harvested by gardeners. "Cover crops are a time-tested, farmer-tested way to treat soils," says Sam Tall, garden expert and the second-generation owner of City Farmers Nursery. Some cover crops he likes to use include hairy vetch and different types of clover. These and other cover crop plants suppress weeds, control soil erosion, and improve soil fertility—essential benefits when dealing with clay soil. When these plants die back after the growing season, they amend the soil with organic matter, improving aeration and providing nutrients.

Plant on Mounds

Another way to fix clay soil is by covering it with mounds of loam soil, which will add organic matter to your garden over time. According to Tall, you can plant seasonal vegetables or annuals 2 to 4 inches above the soil line of your clay soil, into the mound of loam soil. This way, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, the root flares on your new plants are elevated, making them less susceptible to root rot, which is what they can experience if planted at soil level in clay soil, he says.

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