How to Make Moist Heavy Clay Loam

Nutrient rich and full of moisture, heavy clay loam soils are ideal for water gardens, bogs, and plants that are not drought-tolerant. Water-loving plants do exceptionally well in heavy clay loam soil. They can also be used on steep slopes to offset erosion since the fine particles are bonded together and not as prone to the effects of weathering. Making a heavy clay loam soil is the first step toward building a natural bog garden or a pond. It will largely depend on your level of commitment since the soil will need amending every one to two years.

Shovel
Hard rake
Sphagnum peat moss
Compost and leaf litter
Clay soil
Tamper

Instructions

- 1
  Assess the existing soil characteristics by digging a hole in the ground with a shovel, noting the color, texture, permeability and organic content.
- 2
  Add sphagnum peat moss to the soil as a material that retains moisture. Dig the peat moss into the existing soil with a shovel and spread it with a rake. Use at least a ratio of 50:50.
- 3
  Add organic content to the existing soil, such as compost, pine needles and leaf litter, at a ratio of 50:50.
- 4
  If the existing soil is mostly sand, add clay, silt or both to the existing soil at a ratio of 50:50.
- 5
  Spread the soil in the desired area in 4-inch layers and tamp the ground with a tamper after laying down each layer. Tamping it will help the soil particles and organic matter to fuse together more strongly.

Facts About Loam

How to Keep Soil From Packing

Soil