Why are people so reluctant to grow things in the dirt? Most domesticated plants are VERY tolerant of a wide range of soils because those that were too picky were not worth domesticating.

Where do you live? Look around the neighborhood - what is growing?

My uncle lived off Alum Rock Road (near James Lick HS). He grew orchids, vegetables and all kinds of things in the ground.

Here's some fast tests for figuring out about what soil texture you have.

The "squeeze test:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/214.pdf

The mason jar test:

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/diy-soil-texture-test-for-your-yard/

http://preparednessmama.com/jar-soil-test/ 

Drainage test (after things dry out up there):

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/diy-soil-drainage-perk-test-for-your-yard/ *************

Start a compost heap.

Thanks for your comments. I will do the soil tests you have recommended.

It does seem to drain well, I have never seen any puddle.

I'm opposed to spending a lot of money on potting soil, since it's worthless after the first year. Sometimes clay soil is quite fertile.

Consider paying a yard of good reputation to deliver two or three yards of compost. If it's a smaller situation, the spent mushroom compost in bags will do.

Thanks for encouraging to use garden soil. I can't wait to get a bit dry. I am considering to put cucumbers and beans in this soil as it's in location in my yard that gets plenty of direct sunlight

You can grow anything you want in that soil, although it may need organic matter. These simple soil tests

1) Soil test for organic
material. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in
a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and
replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24
hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight.
For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the
bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above
that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

2) Drainage. Dig a hole
1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains
away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain
away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains’ too quickly and needs
more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the
soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

3) Tilth. Take a handful
of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is
released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a
finger that clump should fall apart.

4) Smell. What does your
soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant
odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria
will be and the nicer your soil will smell, to a point. Too much organic matter
can be bad as well.

5) Life. How many
earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5,
according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that
is not healthy.

are similar to what lazy_gardens outlined above. What is important for you to know about that soil is the soils pH and nutrient balance as well as what those tests tell you. A god reliable soil test is needed.

kimmq is kimmsr

If it's already black it has a good level of organic matter, most likely. Nothing wrong with adding compost but keep it to a reasonable level - maybe an inch or two at the most.

You might want to get a soil test on a composite sample BEFORE you add any amendments though, just to see what you are starting with.

Spent foundry sand will be a very dark brown, almost black, and it will have no organic matter in the mix. Many shale's I have seen are quite dark and will have little, if anyu organic matter. Color alone is not a good indication of how much organic matter a soil may have.

kimmq is kimmsr

Get the SUNSET WESTERN GARDEN book ... it will tell you what grows in your area.

The OP said their GARDEN soil was black which I interpreted as being darker than the surrounding soil. It could of course be dark clay with no amendments but it didn't sound like it. It can't be foundry sand because the OP said it was clay. In any case the soil test I recommended would give the %OM and remove all questions.

I kinda think that many think that a soil that isn't so nice and loose is ...just clay.

There is clay clay I suppose somewhere.

There is clay loam.

There is silty clay loam.

There is silt loam.

There is sandy clay loam...........all the above have some clay in them....just different amounts of clay.

You can grow lillies I bet. Mints. Chives. Garlic. What do you want to grow?