4 Simple Ways to Break Up & Soften Hard Soil Naturally

Do you have heavy soil? Clay soil? Compacted soil? In this video, we will show you how to break up hard soil and create a softer texture naturally.

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[yeshuaisthewaythetruthandt]

In the fall season, trees shed their leaves to cover their roots blanketing themselves n at the same time mulching themselves for nourishment in the rainy season. Trees are smart. They know how to survive for hundreds of years

[samjones]

I collected tons of leaves from around the hood last autumn. Mixed them into the soil and this year had a very good harvest.

[madmanjim]

I live in tropical Indonesia and my soul is heavy red clay. I dug down 12inches, removed all rocks/stones and heavily amended it with compost, worm castings, rice husks, carbonized rice husks (as biochar) and cocopeat. I also added organic fertilizer and organic soil treatment. My plants are so lush and healthy. I regularly top up the beds with more organic matter and worm castings.

[valeriesanchez]

Just grow sunflowers.
After harvest.
The roots will aerate the soil.
Side note, if you let the roots decompose,
You will have amazing, nitrogen rich, fluffy soil.
Very easy way of getting wonderful soil.

[christophergruenwald]

Living roots are what build soil aggregates. I’ve done no till for 2 years now. Cover crops, chop and drop, and always keep an armor over the soil.

[VisionaryGardener]

If you have to till your soil in the beginning, cover it first with leaves, straw, compost, compared manure, gypsum, zeolite, etc, THEN till. That way, you're mixing in the things that will eventually provide soft soil that doesn't need to be tilled at all. You can also compost in situ in areas where you aren't currently growing anything. Dig a trench, put your food and plant waste into the trench, and bury it. It will break down rapidly and be ready for you to grow in the following season.

[codysaunders]

I cut down 5 acres of invasive black alder here in Ontario, the soil is mostly silt and clay. As you can imagine, like concrete. In order to soften the ground and actually be able to produce a viable crop, we decided to take the long route. I think everyone wants immediate results, but it takes time to convert poor quality soil into nutrient rich loose black earth. Anyhow, we tilled all the leftover wood mulch INTO the soil, leaves, grass clippins, spent mushroom blocks, etc anything with carbon. We made rows, which will never need to be tilled again. We hot compost and have a few worm bathtubs and all my spent mushroom compost, so we coat the rows liberally throughout the season. To directly add nitrogen throughout the season to balance out the high carbon and feed the growth of plants, we made all kinds of liquid nutrient supplements, ie worm tea, compost tea, chicken soup and watered the various crops throughout the season. Anyhow, first year was pretty great, we harvested about 2000lbs of Blue Sapphire potatoes and plenty of lettuce, kale, tomatoes, etc - although, more importantly: the soil is now much more loose and I can run my hands through it. We will continue to add compost, crass clippings, leaves, and mulch on top of the rows to build the soil further. So for all of you that think tilling is BAD under all circumstances, I believe it is the best initial option for people with compact soil, unless you want to build up your soil over years, which is essentially like pouring 8 inches of garden soil on soild rock. We are anticipating a great 2nd year, but I believe the soil will peak in quality by year 3. Cheers, great channel

[gretaeberhardt]

I can’t begin to tell you how much I learned from this. When I hear “the why“ behind a process it is so much more meaningful than just saying to do this or that. If I understand the reasoning I retain the information. This was so very helpful. Thank you!

[nancywebb]

I have a bulb drill for my rechargeable drill. When I dig and hit hard soil such as clay I drill the soil then I add compost to the hard soil which I have broken up. It works like a charm! Sure makes digging easier for this 77 year old woman.

[sarahohalloran]

Great video. The only problem is generating enough compost. Most people don't have a farm or loads of leaves to make enough compost, or even a truck to get the raw materials. Buying bagged compost is super expensive.

[tmontero]

You explained the issue of loosening hard, compacted soil so well, and in terms I could understand. I am so grateful that you share you knowledge and experience with others. Thanks, Luke.

[Mntdewmania]

If you want to know what to use just start at 3:00 and then 5:00 for the 2nd thing and 8:40 for the third, and the 4th and last one is at 10:00

[finagill]

I have heavy clay with lots of smaller rocks. This year I started preparing an area for a garden next year. I covered the area in cardboard and then covered the cardboard with grass clippings. It was about 8" of grass clippings. Last week I decided to transplant a few plants to the area and was surprised by how easy the soil was to dig, how much the color changed, and all of the worms. I'm also growing some cool weather cover crops to help even more. IMO, if you have a year you can use cardboard, grass clippings, and cover crops to really make a difference. But it appears that it will take about a year to really improve.

[candaceturner]

Fantastic video Luke!
Clear, informative & well presented🤩👍🏻
Some people bang on, but take forever to get to the point, losing audience interest. But not you!
I’m new to gardening & this is the first of your videos I’ve seen. Definitely won’t be the last. Thank you so much!😊🌻

[trevorstewart]

My Dad used the growing of potatoes to break in a new garden. By dropping a potato in its grow hole the potato will do the work for you, pushing out roots and expanding the tubers. Fertilizing them with super phosphate and blood & bone, plus the occasional watering will bring you a great lawn base by the time the potatoes are harvested in 3 to 4 months. Most of the cultivation work is done for you.

[pamelah]

In addition to these things, I leave the roots of annuals in the ground to help add organic matter to the soil over winter. Great tips!

[truefuschniken]

LOVEEE this!!! We just watched the documentary called, 'kiss the ground' and it was all about this!!! 😍

[kathylemke]

This was fantastic information, thank you! I appreciate how you explain the reasoning and scientific processes behind what you are suggesting!

[MrSBGames]

I was going to say you forgot about cover crops to occupy beds during fall to late winter but then you mentioned it towards the end 😅
It is like you read our minds

[margaritarivera]

Thanks for the info, I live in Laredo, Tx and my backyard soil is hard and clay like. The good news is that I have started a compost bin. I've been learning so much from your videos.