Re: clay soil

[Gil Robertson]

Hi! Cordelia, Gypsum is the first thing to start on breaking up clay. Take a "soil" sample to your local gypsum supplier and get their advice on how much. Later, as you get a good BD system going, it will become easier and the more organic material you can get in the soil and the more healthy you can get the soil biota, the more the clay will gradually change into soil. Gil [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear BD farmers, This is my first query to all of you.  We have just moved to some land in southern Maine and have just rototilled our first patch of soil with the hopes of working this land biodynamically. It appears to be solid clay.  Hard, golfball-sized rocks.  What are your best, first recommendations  for beginning to build this soil, given that we just got here and have not yet had the time to start a serious composting effort? A local landscaper (not BD) says he has had his best luck with loads of peat mixed with compost and some sand then that is rototilled into the clay. It seems I remember Steiner nixing peat in the Agriculture book.  So what do you experienced farmers know about peat?  Also what about gypsum? Any and all advice is welcomed.  My husband is wondering whether we ought not go into the clay pot or brick business instead! Thanks. Cordelia