Being in the soil business for over thirty years, my best advice to you to help fix your clay soil, is to till in expanded shale and a fully finished, pH-balanced compost (at Soil Building Systems we call it “Gumbo Buster†– take a look at
http://www.soilbuildingsystems.com/Bedd ... rDataSheet). Gumbo Buster is scientifically engineered to provide a permanent solution to challenges posed by our native soil. The pH Balanced compost in this mix will actually adjust the pH of our very alkaline native soil so that it falls into the neutral zone.
Achieving a neutral pH is desired because it allows the plants to absorb the needed nutrients much more efficiently, thus allowing the plant to thrive, as opposed to our native alkaline soil which chemically pinches off the plants' ability to absorb nutrients. The other part of the problem is that the soil is too tight, and the roots can’t easily penetrate. Expanded shale not only will help to aerate the tight soil but will also break up the soil and keep it loose. Howard also recommends the use of expanded shale.
Baron Ablon
Baron@SoilBuildingSystems.com