Put in a drain. You jusr built a bathtub.

Oh my. As was said, now you will have problems.

When the time comes to prepare another bed, keep your clay because, contrary to what many folks think, it's good stuff.

-- To prepare clay as a planting bed, dig over the area, removing all large debris.
-- Then, mix in 2 inches of compost.
--And whenever you're doing a bed for the first time, mix in a second 2 inches of compost.

Then, every successive year that you plant, mix in an additional 2 inches.

What's leaf grow?

Karen

I thought sharp sand/builder's sand was okay to add to clay soil. Doesn't it make the soil easier to weed from? I know it will be hard on the tiller blades, and if one had a ton of compost that would be preferable.

sid11, I hope you have a slight grade to allow drainage. It does seem the water you need for your plant's first ten inches will hit the bottom of clay and stay there as the top overdries. I think this is what's called 'wet feet', as plants need air at the root zone as well. I also fear the deeper roots will hit that bottom and react to it just as the bottom of a pot, and turn sideways rather than penetrate. I've heard that scenario happens to trees when only the planting hole is amended.

In any case, it's very difficult to create great soil all at once. The first season or two of any of my garden beds is never as good as the later ones. I do like the other posters suggested, and add compost around as I make it. The more organic matter, the better!

There is a slight grade and I cut a drainage trench coming out of the low end of the garden spot so water sitting in the bottom will not be a problem, I just started my compost pile so in the spring I should have plenty of compost to add to the soil, and Karen leaf grow is something the garden centers around here sell, it is basically composted leaves and manure.

sid11, I have heavy red clay as well. I've learned to love it and I assure you that my plants (of all kinds) do, too.

I worry, like some of the others, that you have created a bath tub with this kind of preparation, but time will tell.

How deep does the clay go? During soil weathering/formation of many soil types the clay accumulates above some other type of loam that does drain. For instance here I have a foot or two of clay over top of a foot of loam, which sits on top of sandy loam spring water table. If you can dig a couple of trenches down through the clay it would help with the drainage.

What kind of heavy equipment do you have that can make craters like that? 2.5 tons is a lot of sand....

I would suggest you get a soil test of your 'undoctored' soil, and see what is recommended. Your soil may be lacking something in particular, and this would be a good time to add it, esp if you need something like lime. You could call your local Cooperative Extension Service and ask where to take/send your soil. The usual test costs around $8-10. (Don't ask for just the pH, get all the info you can for your money.)

Be sure to get directions on HOW to collect the soil sample, as you don't just scrape some up off the surface.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Local Co-op Ext. Service offices in U.S.

Sid11:

If you are still on this forum, how did the drainage work out?