Most area gardeners know that the heavy, sticky clay we call soil needs to be amended before you plant a new bed. Most also probably know the value of adding such amendments as compost. Expanded shale, a gravel-size rock, helps make clay soil easier to work and improves drainage. More good news: You only add it to the soil once.
Plant roots don't get enough oxygen in clay soils. Raised beds, compost, and other amendments help, expanded shale is a permanent solution. Plants create larger, healthier root systems with expanded shale and it also holds valuable nutrients for the plants. How do you know if you need expanded shale? In summer, if the soil gets big cracks when dry, you definitely need expanded shale. |
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Expanded shale, a gravel-size rock that is pumped full of air, aerates clay soil, makes it easy to work and helps it drain better. Best of all, you add it to garden beds only one time. |
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