Advice on transforming red clay soil

[Barkingowl]

Abcornwell are you having any problems with slugs?

[abcornwell]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Abcornwell are you having any problems with slugs?

No, haven't seen a one. Why do you ask?

[Palmetto Heel]

Originally Posted by abcornwell

We have about 1/2 acre we'd like to garden - probably mixed borders, shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses. Right now it is hard red clay soil.

I understand the concept of working as much organic matter into the soil as possible, but I need to know *how*. Especially when we just about bend a shovel trying to dig!

Should I be looking for someone to disc it? (Harrowing is the term I know (or harrer if you're from WNC)) It seems we'd need machinery to break into chunks, then another pass at smaller chunks, and then we could probably till it or double-dig ... ???

We're putting raised beds, a gazebo, and a fire pit on some of the other 1/2 acre, thankfully!

Ideas, wisdom, much appreciated!

My family made a living out of red clay for nearly 300 years. Nothing wrong with it.

[solnechko]

You've gotta believe our native trees love it and so do the crops. But if you are wanting to plant a lot of ornamentals and flowers that are not native, you'll need to amend it.

Permatill is a horticultural aggregate. A type of stone. It's a local company, too. I've used it around hosta roots to keep the voles away. Here's the info
Permatill About Us (http://www.permatill.com/About_Us.html - broken link)

As for my pottery, I'll see about posting some of it up here. Thanks for asking!

[abcornwell]

Originally Posted by Palmetto Heel

My family made a living out of red clay for nearly 300 years. Nothing wrong with it.

Agreed, it is very fertile. It is just very difficult to "break into".

The Permatill site said to disc or till to a certain depth and add the amendment.

I think I'll look for someone who can disc it, we'll work organic matter into it, and keep working with it for a few years.