How to Break Up Caliche

Piercing the Caliche

• 1

  Dig a hole that penetrates the caliche layer when establishing plants. The hole should measure about the depth of the root ball and three to five times its diameter to allow roots to spread.

• 2

  Dig or drill a small drainage hole near plants if you can't place the root ball past the caliche layer. Find a spot near the plant, but not directly underneath it, to prevent flooding the roots.

• 3

  Use an aerating tool to pierce through the soil well past the caliche layer. Repeat this with other plants that need it.

Removing Caliche

• 4

  Remove solid chunks of caliche from the soil using a shovel or tilling machine.

• 5

  Place 8 to 24 inches of topsoil to make up for the removed caliche.

• 6

  Add powdered or pellet sulfur for plants other than cacti and succulents. Follow manufacturer directions for your soil type.