How to Amend Clay Soil for Berries

Clay soils usually require some form of improvement before use, and when using them to grow berries, you may need to perform some additional fine-tuning. Clay soils tend to hold water and lack aeration, which is bad news for plant roots. The roots of berry plants sitting in soggy soils may develop rot that will kill the plants, and wet soils encourage the development of fungal diseases. Plant roots have difficulty penetrating compacted clay soils; waterlogged clay also lacks the oxygen roots need to grow and develop.

Soil test kit
Cover crop
Tiller or shovel
Organic material
Sand

Instructions

- 1
  Research the particular soil type, conditions and nutrients needed for the berries you plan to grow. Depending on the type of berry you select, you may need to apply specific amendments to your soil. For example, blueberries require an acidic soil, strawberries need a soil that is only slightly acidic and raspberries need a near-neutral soil.
- 2
  Test your soil to determine its nutrient content, or lack of nutrients, and the soil’s pH. The results will guide you in applying the proper type and amount of fertilizer. For example, lime and wood ash increase the soil’s pH, while aluminum sulfate and sulfur lower the pH.
- 3
  Wait until the site is nearly dry to avoid compacting the soil as you work. This also makes the work easier, as clay is difficult to work with, heavy and sticky when waterlogged.
- 4
  Plant the site with a cover crop in the year or season before you plant berries. The cover crop will suppress weeds. Till the cover crop into the soil to add organic matter and nutrients to the site.
- 5
  Add partially decomposed materials to the soil in the fall to allow decomposition to occur before planting in the spring. During the intervening months, earthworms will help improve the soil’s aeration while working to break down the organic material.
- 6
  Work 2 to 3 inches of organic material into your soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Manure, compost and leaf mold are just a few available options. Add 2 inches of sand along with your organic material to improve the soil’s texture, suggests the Oregon State University Extension. These amendments improve the soil’s tilth, aeration and drainage.
- 7
  Apply only composted, fully decomposed animal manure to the site, as raw manure can contain bacteria that may contaminate your fruit crop. Till the manure into the soil before you begin planting.

How to Transplant Strawberries in February

Acidic Material for Growing Blueberries

Growing Berries