Thank you for the tips. My trees just came in and we definitely have clay here in Texas.

@CharlestonCrafted

10 ай бұрын

Good luck! Stretch your back first!

My clay soil is like concrete, I would snap the shovel if I jump on it.

@CharlestonCrafted

Жыл бұрын

Yikes. Well, maybe wait for a rainy day?

@wheelmanstan

Жыл бұрын

I have the same ground, I dig it with a shovel but it ain't easy, then I use a 3.5" auger bit, like 18": long, goes right into my drill and then I can just sit and mix and break up that clay, add water as well, I got the bit on ebay for 15 bucks, great for mixing or putting in posts or tree plugs too

That was a great, simple explanation, thanks! It's what I do as well and I've shared it with my followers up here in Michigan. Happy gardening!

@CharlestonCrafted

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Do you have clay soil in Michigan? We moved here 2 years ago from 30 minutes away and are new to clay soil, previously we always had very sandy soil!

@thelazynortherngardener7607

2 жыл бұрын

@@CharlestonCrafted oh boy, do we ever!! It's not as red like your's or in the south but more gray and like modeling clay.

A large pickaxe makes busting up clay easier. When you get deeper, use a heavy steel 5-foot pinch point bar, moving it from side to side to break the clay loose. *Let their weight do the work not your back.* Only when you have busted that clay up do you dig it out. For that a spade is better than a shovel. Its narrow, flat blade will let you apply more pressure and without it slipping side to side. Get one with a handle to make lifting easier. I want that tree to establish and grow for years before it discovers clay. (1) I dig that hole deep and wide, much more than is required for the root ball. (2) I use the clay to fill old animal burrows in the woods. Good riddance! (3) I fill that large hole with well-composted top soil, perhaps with the right amendments for my area. (4) I make sure there is six inches to a foot of good, lightly compacted porous top soil below the bottom of that root ball to make drowning less likely All that requires far more work, but the result has been much improved growth.

@CharlestonCrafted

3 ай бұрын

Great tips!

@LowryderRecords

3 ай бұрын

correct

The hole that you have dug becomes like a little pond and it will end up killing the plant. What do you do to have good drainage?

@CharlestonCrafted

Жыл бұрын

Filling around the plant is the best you can do

@Takeiteasy376

Жыл бұрын

I did exactly this with 2 trees in clay soil-they both died from too much water because it didn’t drain. This method has zero explanation on drainage. If you follow this example, your trees will surly drown in clay soil.

@chandracox6814

7 ай бұрын

How do you add drainage to clay soil so the trees don't drown? Sounds like y'all were watering too frequently.

@chandracox6814

7 ай бұрын

​@@Takeiteasy376how often were you watering?

@Takeiteasy376

7 ай бұрын

@@chandracox6814 about every 2-3 days, as a new tree. I cut this back, and more of a trickle, not on high flow, I added some gravel fairly deep to help keep water from pooling (as much as possible), the new trees did far better.

Just planted two magnolias in North Central TX and threw my back out doing it. It was rough! Couldn't stand up straight for three days after. I didn't do the slicing shown in this video and now I'm worried. I suppose i can go add some slices next to the trees still, right? I ammended the soil quite a bit for the magnolias.

@CharlestonCrafted

7 ай бұрын

Idk how much the slicing truly does, but I wouldn’t throw your back out again to do it

Can I just put topsoil on top of the clay and put in the plant?

@CharlestonCrafted

Жыл бұрын

It’s best to fill in around the plant as well but make sure to cut the slices so there’s room to spresd

@jellycrackersmerch8221

Жыл бұрын

I don't want to place the plant in the hard clay is is too hard. Can I just put top soil on top of the clay dirt.

@u5909

Жыл бұрын

@@jellycrackersmerch8221 no because the tree roots won’t want to spread out from the topsoil making in rot