Green Clay Soil?

Vespertino · March 24, 2014

I just discovered that I have clay soil- but it's GREEN. I've got about 4 inches of nice, dark, loamy soil but south of that it's sticky and green.

I'm not finding much info on green clay soils, anyone have any knowledge on it? I would have expected red or beige clay. Hrm.

I know the usual advice is to do a raised bed, but this particular area where I'm growing tomatoes is against the home foundation so I'm going to avoid that. I found a decent amount of worms as I dug through it, so at least there's living things in it.

Redbaron · March 25, 2014

There are many clays that are green, but it could be a glauconite clay, nontronite clay or a montmorillonite clay? Maybe get it tested?

JamesL · March 25, 2014

It's not glowing is it?

The only thing I know about green clay is that they package the French version and sell it at a huge premium for facial use.

Vespertino · March 25, 2014

Redbaron- oh if it were gluconite that would be awesome (greensand for free!). I noticed Tx A&M will do soil testing, I may end a sample over.

James- I think I have some in my cosmetics

Tracydr · March 25, 2014

Definitely get it tested.
There aren't many soil types that aren't fixable with compost. Manures,straw, leaves and food scraps can do wonders, IMO.

Vespertino · March 29, 2014

I did a home test, mainly because a thorough set of soil tests at A&M would be around $80 and I decided I'd rather use it towards gardening (herbs, pots, tools, drip irrigation, etc).

I dug deep an pulled out a clean chunk of clay, dried it, grated it into a powder and tested ph, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Ph was just slightly alkaline, nitrogen poor (I expected that), phosphorous poor, but potassium was very high.

Before I amend it with anything I'll be testing the topsoil. But if the topsoil is also alkaline I'll water down a little vinegar and hand water to get the ph down a teeny bit.

Redbaron · March 29, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vespertino

I did a home test, mainly because a thorough set of soil tests at A&M would be around $80 and I decided I'd rather use it towards gardening (herbs, pots, tools, drip irrigation, etc).

I dug deep an pulled out a clean chunk of clay, dried it, grated it into a powder and tested ph, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Ph was just slightly alkaline, nitrogen poor (I expected that), phosphorous poor, but potassium was very high.

Before I amend it with anything I'll be testing the topsoil. But if the topsoil is also alkaline I'll water down a little vinegar and hand water to get the ph down a teeny bit.

Since you are doing it yourself, try this website to find out what you have. Soil Survey

Vespertino · March 29, 2014

Thanks for the link, the survey app is giving me an error, but I think I have crosstail fine sandy loam.

March 24, 2014	#1
Vespertino Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Southlake, TX Posts: 743	Green Clay Soil? I just discovered that I have clay soil- but it's GREEN. I've got about 4 inches of nice, dark, loamy soil but south of that it's sticky and green. I'm not finding much info on green clay soils, anyone have any knowledge on it? I would have expected red or beige clay. Hrm. I know the usual advice is to do a raised bed, but this particular area where I'm growing tomatoes is against the home foundation so I'm going to avoid that. I found a decent amount of worms as I dug through it, so at least there's living things in it. Last edited by Vespertino; March 24, 2014 at 11:36 PM.

March 25, 2014	#2
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	There are many clays that are green, but it could be a glauconite clay, nontronite clay or a montmorillonite clay? Maybe get it tested? __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

March 25, 2014	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	It's not glowing is it? The only thing I know about green clay is that they package the French version and sell it at a huge premium for facial use.

March 25, 2014	#5
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Definitely get it tested. There aren't many soil types that aren't fixable with compost. Manures,straw, leaves and food scraps can do wonders, IMO.

March 29, 2014	#6
Vespertino Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Southlake, TX Posts: 743	I did a home test, mainly because a thorough set of soil tests at A&M would be around $80 and I decided I'd rather use it towards gardening (herbs, pots, tools, drip irrigation, etc). I dug deep an pulled out a clean chunk of clay, dried it, grated it into a powder and tested ph, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Ph was just slightly alkaline, nitrogen poor (I expected that), phosphorous poor, but potassium was very high. Before I amend it with anything I'll be testing the topsoil. But if the topsoil is also alkaline I'll water down a little vinegar and hand water to get the ph down a teeny bit.