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Help!!!! Why is my soil cracking?

Last post 26-06-2009 2:03 PM by Alix. 7 replies.

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  • 27/05/2009 01:16 PM
    • samsum
    • leeds
    • 26 May 2009
    • 9
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    About a week ago I had a new fence erected and decided to dig up the grass in front of it and create a bed for planting in.

    I dug up the grass and dug in 2 bags of organic matter to the existing soil. (approx a 6ft long x 1ft wide area)

    I then bought a honeysuckle plant , an Japanese Acer tree and a Hosta and planted adding more compost and chicken feed in the planting holes and then covering with the existing soil.

    A week on I've noticed the soil is cracking and when i water puddles develop on the surface???

    The honeysuckle has started dropping leafs? is this related?

    Not sure what I can do now the plants have been palnted

     Any advise much appreciate

    sam

  • 27/05/2009 02:02 PM
    In reply to
    • Digger
    • Northern UK
    • 18 Jul 2005
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    I think you may have added chicken manure rather than chicken feed. Anyway your soil is cracking because it is a clay based soil and it's too dry, which is why I told you on your other thread to go and give your honeysuckle a gallon of water right away, In leeds you don't have a really hogh water table or excessive rainfall, it's been quite dry lately unless you live on the other side of the peninnes like me.

    Now then break up the dry cracked surface of your impoverished inadequate soil with a garden fork, then add copious amounts of water, you will not harm your plants as most of the water will run into the surrounding ground, try and get some good rotted organic matter, like rotted manure, add some to the soil atround your plants, give them another copious watering, and then add the rest of the organic matter as a mulch to prevent the soil drying out too quickly, your plants are newly transplanted in dry warm weather you are going to have to make the effort to water them every day twice a day if needed.

    digger Devil
  • 27/05/2009 02:13 PM
    In reply to
    • samsum
    • leeds
    • 26 May 2009
    • 9
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    Is there not a concern about over watering???

    thanks again :)
  • 27/05/2009 03:08 PM
    In reply to
    • Digger
    • Northern UK
    • 18 Jul 2005
    • 4,743
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    Newly transplanted shrubs usually need a bit more watering and tlc than usual until they have settled in, of course you can overwater, but the description of your honeysuckles symptoms and it's recent history strongly suggest that it about to dessicate completely, we haven't had lots of rain recently and we've had higher than average temperatures, you are on the other side of the peninnes to where I live, you get less rainfall where you are than I get and you have it a tad warmer and less windy so I know that my garden has been quite dry lately and I haven't transplanted anything I shall wait for a cooler period and then water well. I have used this information to surmise the following

    1) You are relatively new to gardening

    2) you have had not much rain and warm sunny days

    3) You haven't watered the new plants nearly enough (if at all)

    seeing as your ground is apparently bone dry and the plants are desperate for water, I did suggest giving the honeysuckle a gallon of water, I also informed you that don't worry about drowning your plants because the water will run off into the surrounding area. The ground is so dry most of the water will be absorbed straight into the surrounding soil and will have not much eefect on the plants whioch is why i suggested frequent watering until the plants are settled in. Of course you can choose to ignore this advice as is your prerogative, but I have no reason tto misinform you my frined, I am interested in horticulture and see it as my duty to offer advice when it is asked for. Please give the damn plants some water before you kill themYes

    digger Devil
  • 27/05/2009 04:03 PM
    In reply to
    • samsum
    • leeds
    • 26 May 2009
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    Big Smilethanks i will water stright after work

  • 29/05/2009 10:20 AM
    In reply to
    • bigsusan55
    • North-West London
    • 14 May 2009
    • 144
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    Two bags of organic matter?  Over what length and width of border?  In my clay soil, if digging over a new area for planting, I use at least a bag of garden compost per square yard, plus some sharp sand.  Even then I add half a bucket more to each planting hole for perennials and shrubs.  After 26 years, the soil is beginning to get quite good, in places.

    Getting suitable compost for your new garden can be expensive though.  Certainly if you have to buy bags from a garden centre.  Try and get something in bulk - preferably free!  Go to Freecycle and ask if anyone has any well rotted manure to get rid of, or ask at stables.  There have been some threads about manure being contaminated with weedkillers though, so be careful.

    On the subject of garden compost have a look at this; very funny!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD74wGOBsx0

    Alternatively, go to the Guide Cats for the Blind website on http://www.bcab.org.uk/guide-cats/guide-cats-stuff.html and look partway down the page to download a version with jenny Agutter reading it.

    Oh yes, and I agree with digger about the watering.  If clay soil is cracking then it is dry.  And it is pretty difficult to overwater (although you don't want to waste water) - think about it, if you wanted to build a pond you would need a liner to stop the water draining away, even in clay eventually Wink !  After all, we don't tend to feel that plants are being overwatered when it rains.  At least, not in the context of the plants that you have mentioned.

     Susan B

  • 29/05/2009 10:22 AM
    In reply to
    • bigsusan55
    • North-West London
    • 14 May 2009
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     Sorry, you did say the area! And you did put in a bag per square yard.
  • 26/06/2009 02:03 PM
    In reply to
    • Alix
    • Bristol
    • 19 Dec 2008
    • 47
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    Clay always cracks in hot dry weather. Follow all the advice about organic matter but not too much nitrogen rich manure for new plants. If the water all runs off, dig a small hole next to your plants (1 each) and put an empty plant pot in each hole, then water into the pots (as well as the surrounding area), so that the water goes straight down to the root area. Sometimes it helps if you water a bit to dampen the soil and then come back half an hour later and water again, as damp clay will actually take up more water that dry. Also, water either in the evening when the sun is low or early morning, so that the water can soak in before evaporation starts. If you add organic matter every spring and autumn eventually you will have good soil - I love clay myself. Put the compost down as a mulch on the surface in spring (or now!) and this will help reduce evaporation. As you have plants in already it may be easier to break up the surface with one of those big claw like things on a long handle - dont know what to call them but they work well. This will allow the water so soak into the surface better, and make it easier for the roots to get oxygen.