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Madison, WI

I was tilling my new area to plant and realized that 6 inches down, the soil is all clay. Everything above is good soil but now I’m wondering how far down will the main root go? Should I dig out the clay and add new soil? Any thoughts would be appreciated

4/26/2019 8:57:22 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

6" is too shallow for a good root system. The Madison area was covered by the last glacial period, so it is understandable that your subsoil is glacial till clay. If you dig into it, you might hit sand, gravel, or boulders. That kind of clay is very dense water won't get through it. Instead of digging the clay out, you might do better to build a raised mound. Digging a hole into that kind of clay could just create a bathtub that will fill with rain water. Pumpkin roots don't like to sit in water. A raised bed will give you better drainage. And if you dig a hole, you will have to get rid of the clay. That isn't a problem with a raised bed. Also, if you dig you need to call your state's one call system to locate buried utilities.

4/26/2019 9:24:05 PM

Madison, WI

Ugh, that makes sense, this land is right next to the edge of the glacial area. Never even put that together. It’s strange because we are using farmland but that grows corn and soybeans but I’m sure 6 inches works on those crops. So beds would give us at least an extra 12 inches. I really hate clay right now.

4/26/2019 10:55:08 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I agree with the raised bed part, but you can do well with just 6 inches (no world record though). Maybe invest in a good broad fork and bust it up deep this year for drainage. Add some organic matter and by years end, the soil will homogenize deeper and then you can really work on it in the fall. There are plenty of growers who started with heavy clay and have made it work, it just takes some time. You can still have a great year and plenty of fun. Good Luck

4/27/2019 7:59:49 AM

Georgia

That is some serious information that is being provided- "glacial till clay." Learn something new everyday. Not sure what your personal best it Bawk, but 6 inches will still grow a pumpkin probably in the low 1k. Heck, most places in Georgia just have a couple of inches of soil, and our record is 1300. Just keep growing this year and enjoy the ride.

4/27/2019 8:34:58 AM

Hopedale Ohio

I go down 4-5 feet, spade the clay up real good, cover it with compost manure top soil, fill in the rest of the way and still do a decent sized mound. Good luck everybody, have a great weekend.

4/27/2019 8:49:21 AM

Muddy Waters

Spread about 3 inches of sand on the surface then turn over the patch with a 12 inch plow.Do this a couple years in a row. You will break up the clay with the sand.Till it in also sand will prevent clay from sticking together. I did it my patch about 4-5 years ago

4/27/2019 4:38:53 PM

Muddy Waters

Take a post hole digger & pop holes as deep as you can go. Do this every few feet & fill the holes back up with sandy soil mix with top soil.

4/27/2019 4:40:54 PM

Madison, WI

Very helpful advice, thanks for everyone’s input. I will probably build beds this year and work in sand for later years.

4/27/2019 5:29:13 PM

Marshfield, Ma, USA

Part of my patch resembles the description of yours. You can get over 1000 pounds in a situation such as this. I've done it a number of times. I do mound up the planting area as Iowegian suggested, but that is only about 60 sf or so of the 500 or more sf allocated per plant.The rest of the vines are growing in six inches of soil. Good luck this year. I hope you grow a big one.

4/27/2019 5:48:11 PM

Tinykinville

Leave it alone. If over the years you add amendments such as menure and leaves It will build up but good ole wisconsin clay has grow alot of monster kins including over a ton. Just ask the Martins if they like clay soil.

4/30/2019 11:49:19 AM