Clay soil is not poor soil but actually has mineral richness just waiting to be unlocked with applications of humic acid combined with healthy organic methods. The fact that it holds water can be a benefit at times. Please see pages 18 to 24 of my new organic month by month book for advice how to deal with soil including clay soil. One of the best ways to improve clay soil is to mulch it in fall and I even recommend manure. Though there are some people who are against this practice my experience from farming and from gardening has been that the ancient practice of mulching with manure is one of the best ways to improve soil of just about any kind. Unless you are planning to grow native plants I would recommend you find a source of clean horse manure at a ranch near you where good owners pick up after the horses daily. In this case it is unlikely that there will be any broken salt licks in with the manure. Cover the ground in fall each year with horse manure and the winter rains will wash the goodness into the ground. In a few years you will have great organic soil that drains well. The index of my new book contains several references on page 452 to manure. I’ve discussed in even more places than the index lists. If you are going to apply horse manure make sure your own and your family’s tetanus shots are up to date. You can also make a wonderful compost by layering spoiled alfalfa and manure as described on pages 35 and 36 in my book. Where you live you are close to sources of the necessary ingredients. All you need is a truck for collecting them.
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