I think I tilled too early... Now what?

16 years ago

I'm afraid I tilled my clay soil too early, and now I'm worried I'll end up with "bricks" and ruined soil structure (in a new house with really poor soil, it wasn't so great to begin with).

First, why do I always read helpful info the day after I do the opposite? lol

And second, what do I do now? Do I wait until a better time, meanwhile lift some weights to try to build my strength, then do my best to till again?

(for the record, I'm using "till" to mean pretty much double digging, with a garden fork, added in a good amount of compost. I'm not certain that's the technical definition).

Comments (8)

anney
16 years ago
Sarabell

Are you worried that rains will pack the soil down or winds will dry it out? Can you find some organic mulching material to cover your planting areas? That should keep the soil moist and friable, and you can dig through the mulch to plant. If you added in a good amount of compost, I'd think you'd be okay. Your compost will have blending time with the other soil, and I'd think that just pulling back the mulch and loosening your "tilled area" with a hoe when it's time to plant ought to do the job.
digit
16 years ago
I'll go along with Anney, Sarabell. You'll probably be fine. As she says, your compost may well protect the tilth of the soil.

Instead of even considering the prospect of double-digging, you may want to loosen the soil with the fork a few days prior to planting -- just plunge the tines into the ground and pull back/push forward. For larger seeds and transplants which won't have much problem with settling soil, this could be especially safe and beneficial.

Steve
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sarabell
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, I'm worried more about it getting packed.

Good to hear. I will follow both your advice, and cover it with more compost, then loosen with a fork before planting. Thanks for the input, guys!
sergio35
16 years ago
How much time are you talking about before you are going to plant? I wouldn't worry to much about it, if you added organic material to the ground it should allow for enough water drainage, but I would use a garden fork to break it up a few days before. If your soil is still too hard or clayish (is that a word even??) then I would consider more organic compost.
sarabell
Original Author
16 years ago
Our last projected frost date is mid-May, so weather permitting I'll go ahead & do that early May. (It'll be hard to wait!)
laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
Sarabell, the last frost date here is mid May, but it's past time already to plant peas and spinach, and time to plant lettuce, radishes, beets and carrots. Broccoli and cabbage plants will be set out in a week or so. Frost date is only important for warmth loving veggies like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, corn, squash, etc. Many things need cool weather to do well, and they can handle very cold temps also.
sarabell
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks; I did put peas, spinach and lettuce in already (greens in containers, & I didn't do a large area of), but the bulk of my actual flat garden is used more for warm crops, so I'll be crossing my fingers.
flora_uk
16 years ago
A couple of tips for working with clay soil. try not to walk on it, especially when it's wet and if you don't have paths between your beds work from a plank when you are doing planting/sowing to avoid compacting the ground with your feet (the plank spreads your weight. I don't think you will have hurt it by digging by hand especially if you dug in compost.

I think I tilled too early... Now what?

Comments (8)

anney

digit

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