How to Make Clay Soil Drain & Be Fertile

Clay soil is the ideal ground for certain plants, such as oaks, maples and poplars. But its compacted structure prevents the development of vegetables and most flowers, whose roots require an aerated environment where water, nutrients and air flow freely. To improve your garden soil to the point it can support those crops, incorporate store-bought topsoil and organic matter into it. Compost, grass clippings, pine bark and dead leaves are some amendment options. Top it off with manure to fertilize the garden bed.

Pickax
Shovel
Rototiller (optional)
Compost
Store-bought topsoil
Well-rotted manure
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Break the ground 1 foot deep with a pickax and shovel. Use a rototiller to protect your back if you plan to amend a large bed.
- 2
  Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost and commercial topsoil over the turned surface.
- 3
  Incorporate the amendments into the ground evenly. Use a shovel or rototiller to mix the garden bed contents until the color of the soil is uniform, a sign all parts are now well blended.
- 4
  Add a 2- to 4-inch layer of well-rotted manure to the soil to supplement nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace minerals. Work the matter into the ground with a shovel. Rake the bed to smooth it out for planting.

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