The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-26, Page 37Clay soils can be used
By R. J. Hilton
University of Guelph
Coping with clay soils can be
one of the most frustrating
aspects of gardening: However, if
handled properly, many plants
can be grown successfully in this
type of soil.
There are several districts in
Ontario, including Huron County,
where the most common sight in
the upper layer of the soil horizon
is clay. In this type of soil, 30
percent, or more, of the soil
particles are very small.
The usual kinds of particles in
our mineral soils are sand, silt,
clay, and a non -mineral com-
ponent called organic matter.
Since clay particles are about
0.002 mm or smaller, any clay
soil type will be regarded as fine -
textured. Straight clay is the
finest, and consequently the most
difficult to manage.
When discussing the kinds of
garden plants reasonably
adapted to clay soils, I recall one
farmer's comment when asked
when would be the best time to
plow a certain clay hayfield.
"Well," he -said, "judging by the
rain we've had, and the fact that
it's the middle of May, I'd say
about 2:30 p.m. on the third
consecutive day without rain."
Many homeowners who garden
•
in clay will know what he meant.
The fine soil particles break into
large, brick -like clods, if the
garden plot is dug or tilled when
it is a little too wet or top drv.
However, clay soils have some
real advantages. They .hold
moisture and fertility much
better than sandy soils. But their
finicky characteristics, when it
comes to breaking down into good
filth, leads us to look for means..to
improve the 'permeability. This
can be done by incorporating
organic matter, sand, and
sometimes ground limestone.
Successful gardeners, whose
home grounds are clay, will save
grass clippings, autumn leaves,
and similar organic materials to
use in a compost. This is forked
or tilled into the soil._ The
resulting soil mix will be lighter,
more open, more water -
permeable, and better -drained...
A frequent question from
homeowners is: "What can I
grow in this heavy clay soil?"
The answer is, literally any plant
climatically adapted to your
area. Some kinds of plants do
better on clay than others, but if
some pains are taken to improve
the tilth of the, garden clay, it is
surprising how effective these
fine -textured soils can be for
garden use.
As a very general guide, pears,
European plums, raspberries,
currants, and gooseberries!' ire
fruits that do very well on clay
soils. Vegetables, such as lettuce,
cabbage, spinach and rhubarb
can also be grown successfully.
Under careful management,
potatoes do quite well, but may
be somewhat misshapen it:,the
soil is lumpy. This tight, and
often lumpy soil characteristic
makes clay a poor medium for
growing root crops.
Today, most gardeners want to
include beets, carrots, parsnips,
summer turnips and radishes in
their production repertoire, so
the amelioration of the clay by
adding organic matter, and -or
sand, becomes especially im-
portant for root vegetables.
Perennial plants, such as
garden roses and other shrubs,
vines, and trees, can be surface -
mulched each late fall or spring.
Dig•mulch lightly into the soil to
provide an excellent foraging
medium for the feeding roots.
Leaves, .grass clippings, old hay,
straw, or composted garden and
organic kitchen refuse are
suitable for mulch.
Mulching gives a friable, well -
drained, and well-aerated top
layer that will help prevent
drought cracking, and reduce
fluctation in the soil temperature.
Checkthe pesticide shelf
Most gardeners have pest tides
or fertilizer left over from last
season. R. A. Fleming, hor-
ticulturist with the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food, advises checking
remaining stock now.
"Open bags of chemicals, old
containers, or any unknown
chemical- should be discarded,"
he says. "Many chemicals lose.
their effectiveness when im-
• • properly stored and are useless in
the garden."
"Tightly -closed, well -labelled
containers are usually safe to use
a second season. But play it
safe."
The shelf life 'of a product
usually is marked on„,containers.
"Make a habit of reading all
labels on insecticides or fer-
• tilizer," Mr. Fleming says.
Pretty and hardy
Pansies can endure weather so
cold and damp that gardening is
ittTposslbt€� 1� or this reason,
gardeners wait for the first dry
day in early spring, rush out and
"set in" a border of pansy plants
or their first cousins, the violas.
And wonder of wonders, the poor
shivering little things bud and
bloom despite light frosts, rain or
snow showers.
What a cheerful sight to look
out on a wet, dreary day and see
pansies blooming before spring
shrubs have begun to show off!
Pansies have fancy painted
faces. violas do not. Pansies have
large flowers, up to 3 inches in
"Instructions should be followed
carefully. If the manufacturer
recommends a certain• quantity,
don't assume that twice as much
will do more good. Often, the
reverse is`true." •
Some of the newer products on
the market deserve consideration
when the spaces left by useless
materials and containers are.due
to be filled.
"My advice is to check shelf -
life information when new stock
is being purchased. Make sure
that the product is going to be
effective for the length of time it
might stay on your shelf."
Stone borders around flower beds enhance the at-
tractiveness of the garden while reducing maintenance.
(Photo by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food)
Plants and vacations
Your vacation plans are almost
complete. You are wondering
what to do with the houseplants
you've pampered all year.
Burke McNeill, Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
e'ktension, horticulturist, says
there are a number of solutions to
your plant sitting problems.
The best solution is to find an
accommodating neighbor to
water the plants while you are
away. If you are fortunate
enought to find such a plant
sitter, leave watering • in-
structions, especially 'if the
person is inexperienced with
plants.
"It doesn',t take long to kill a
plant by over -watering," he says.
Another solution is to put the
plants in about two inches of
water in thk bathtub or kitchen
sink. If thereiS.no natural light in
the room it is advisabl to leave a
light on' Using •this method, Mr;
McNeill says plants can survive
for about two weeks.
You can also make your own
LUCK NOW
HEAD FOR. -
white are favorites for edgings.
Conversely, pansies excel for
incredible—variations in colors--
and
olors —
and markings.
Pansies poop out in warm
v�r e'ather. First their blossoms
decrease in size, then plants
begin to die. Don't fight it; except
where summers are short' and
cool you are better off putting in a
second planting for fall bloom.
Pansy seeds for spring bloom
are customarily started indoors
in midwinter and carefully
"hardened off" by gradual ex-
posure to the elements. It's a
much simpler matter to grow
pansies for fall bloom because
diameter during cool weather. seeds can be sown directly in the
v.letus are�l+pit-1-y- alle.r_ _
_gardertat- �ur�:ng
lot &SltrD-rnex-- aa_
Traditionally, pansies are early fall catches .the young
massed in beds and violas are pansy plants before they bloom,
used in edgings. This custom don't worry. Except where
makes sense' when you see the winters are. long and extremely
lovely straight colors of violas; ..bitter, they will live over and
yellow. ' sold. violet, blue . and bloom the following spring.
automatic watering system using
clear plastic bags. First water
the plants thoroughly and insert
two stakes, slightly taller than
the plant, into each pot. Put the
bag over the top of the plant and
fasten to the pot rim with a
rubber band. This will allow
water condensing inside the hag
to drain into the soil.
Mr. McNeill says once in the
bugs, the plants should he set in a
••cool spot away from direct
sunlight. This will provide an
ideal environment for
houseplants for about two weeks.
However, this method is not
recommended fur soft plants,
such as fibrous begonias. This
type of plant may rot because of
excess moisture.
For longer vacations, there are
several automatic watering
devices available at garden
centers and other plant outlets. In
some of Ontario's larger centers,
professional plant sitters are
available for hire to care fur your
prized houseplants.
CLINTON
GENERAL STORE
THE MID—WAY POINT
FOR ALL YOUR
GARDENING NEEDS:
PLUS GAS, GROCERIES AND HARDWARES
Head to HOLMESVILLE when you're 'looking for LOW, COMPETITIVE
PRICES and HIGH QUALITY on alt your Home and Farm needs.
Head to the Mid -way point for value...
THE HOLMESVILLE GENERAL STORE.
For your lawn and Garden we have...
• FERTILIZER • LAWN SEEDS • WEED 'N FEED
e GARDEN TOOLS •.WORK GLOVES
YOU NAME IT
• BOX PLANTS AND FLOWERS ARRIVING SOON'
mor the Farmer we have...-
• ELECTRIC WIRE FENCING•& POSTS
• NAILS, BOLTS, SCREWS 8 OTHER HARDWARE
• PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE
For the Hungry appetites...
• VISIT OUp FRESH MEAT COUNTER
MEAT ORDERS CUT AND WRAPPED FREE!
• COMPLETE SELECTION OF GROCERIES
. Head for the Heart of Downtown
Holmesville...,
---- GEN R_//�
'�..�....
Owned & Operated by HIGHWAY NO. 8 - STORE
Darrell and Anne Ablioth MID -WAY EITHER WAYI Phone 482-7150
fER,/L/IER%
1
Gf7A55�
EE
WEED
KILLERS
PLANTS
GARDEN/NG
TOOLS