How much would sand help by adding it to clay soil with compost already added?

Question

I have already a 2 inch layer of compost on top of the clay dirt that I am wishing to till .

have heard that sand will be even better to add to it.

how true is this and how much roughly should one add?

why and how so?

Thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

Although sand will help with the drainage, it does not add any nutrients. You are better adding as much compost or manure as you possibly can. This will not only improve the soil but it will also attract worms that will help mix the organic mattter with the clay even further.

Answer 2

i worked course grit into the area of clay soil in my garden it definitely helped it might be that it just helped it drain better

Answer 3

Apply Gibson! It will breakup the clay.  

Answer 4

I would leave out the sand for now and continue to add compost/loam/peat.

If you add sand to clay soil, you will end up with something that has the consistency of cement/concrete.

So you had better have, at the very least, three times as much compost as you do your clay/sand mixture.

For now, if I could, I would put down a 6 inch layer of compost and till it in - and I would continue to add compost throughout the year. If I had problems with drainage a year from now, I would add some sand.

But for now be careful with how much sand you add in comparison to the other ingredients - the soil could become MORE compacted. If the soil should dry out, it could get as hard as stone.

Answer 5

The only thing that will permanently open up heavy clay soil is sand.However it must be SHARP sand,not building sand.You can get a ton from your local builders merchants for about £35.You MUST put a lot on for the soil to become crumbly.A ton for about 20 sq meters.To rotivate it into the soil it must be dry weather,but have rained properly about2/3 days previous.Add compost at the very last rotivating so the goodness stays within plants roots depth

Answer 6

Compost is the "black gold".   Clay particles are very fine and are tightly compressed. Sand particles are larger and promote drainage in  the soil, also helping to relieve compaction. Compost is also larger particles than clay. The compost will act as a reservoir to maintain both nutrients and moisture. The clay also holds moisture due to its density. There is another product to consider, and that is Perlite. Much larger particles is very good at promoting drainage. I use it more than sand, because although sand drains, it also stays wet. perlite allows air to move in and out of the soil much easier. The faster you can cycle air and moisture the faster plants will grow.

So... Till the existing soil as deeply as possible first. Then add about 4" of compost, and a thin layer of perlite, and till as deeply as possible again. I generally have to re-till the edges a third time.

Any organic material you add to soil is a good thing. It will reduce dependency of fertilizers as it encourages micro-organisms in the soil and of course worms. Just don't use raw materials. Let it age for 6 months first. Otherwise it will consume the nitrogen in the soil as it decomposes and starve your plants, making them severely anemic.

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