The best method to amend soft clay ground is to use a combination of lime or gypsum and organic compost to absorb moisture and improve soil drainage. The choice of lime or gypsum will depend on your soil pH. Lime will add calcium to the soil but will also make it more alkaline.
Types of reinforcement include stone and vibro concrete columns, along with soil nailing, micropiles, and fracture grouting. In this method of reinforcement, columns of compacted, gravel size stone particles are constructed vertically in the ground.
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.
THE SOLUTION: LIME!
of either quicklime or hydrated lime, dries up wet soil quickly, so that it can be compacted readily, forming a working table that will resist further wetting as well--you can get back to work! hydrated lime are both highly effective in drying wet clay and silt soils.
If it feels spongy, it has a lot of organic matter in it and means you have peat soil. If it feels like sand, then the soil is sandy. And it if feels hard, it will be clay soil. Rub it between your fingers. If it feels gritty, it has sand in it.
So, to firm up soft ground, the best approach is to address the underlying layer of soil and reinforce it with a moisture-regulating media, such as compost or peat.
Lime and cement are commonly mixed into the ground for soil stabilization, but they serve different purposes. While cement adds strength and structure, lime also helps reduce wetness in soggy and clayey soils.
Lime does a rapid job of drying up a wet clay area as long as sufficient lime is used and it is mixed in thoroughly. As far as permanence is concerned, lime is generally used as a subbase or base, but a permanent surfacing must be applied over it.
One Solution to Mud that Reigns Supreme
There are a few common methods of dealing with mud on roads and driveways, but none of them are effective in the long-term. One solution is to simply pour crushed gravel or pebbles into the muddy areas.
Mulched soils absorb water faster. Mulches prevent splashing of mud and certain plant disease organisms onto plants and flowers during rain or overhead irrigation. The mulch covering excludes light which prevents germination of many weed seeds. Fewer weeds provide less competition for available moisture and nutrients.
Many gardeners are getting that itch to get out the tiller and work up their garden soil. But many areas are still soggy from snow melt and rain, making soils too wet to work. It really is best for your garden's long-term health to resist the urge to work the soil when it is still wet.
Poor infiltration (also known as percolation) can be caused by compacted soils, soil with high clay content or soils with a shallow depth to bedrock. Water can perch on top of these materials, either at the ground surface or slightly below it, causing sogginess.
Add Compost
Working compost into soil will feed the soil, improve soil structure, enable soil to retain nutrients, promote good drainage while also absorbing water deep in the soil, keeps soil loose so air can reach plant roots, helps maintain a neutral pH, and protects plants from many common garden diseases.
Compaction of the soil means increased soil strength and increased penetration resistance for the roots. Sands et al. (1979) found a cone resistance of above 3000 kPa to be the upper limit for a pine root to penetrate in sandy soils.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Adding organic matter is the best way to improve nearly all kinds of soils. If you're unsure if your soil needs amendments, take note if it dries and cracks in summer, drains slowly or is difficult to dig whether wet or dry.
Wet soil treated with lime or quicklime, is a very effective method for drying. The lime reacts with moisture in the soil to generate heat, drive off water vapor, and bind some of the water in the chemical reaction. This reaction occurs very quickly, in a matter of 1 to 3 hours to allow for compaction to proceed.
hydrated lime are both highly effective in drying wet clay and silt soils. Highway contractors have found that lime expedites construction in rainy weather, due to its drying action and the formation of a firm working table. Building contractors have been discovering the same thing.
Pulverization and mixing is used to thoroughly combine the lime and soil. For heavy clays, preliminary mixing may be followed by 24 to 48 hours (or more) of moist curing, followed by final mixing. For maximum development of strength and durability, proper compaction is necessary.
Chlorides are some of the most popular forms of soil stabilization for unpaved roads. Magnesium Chloride and Calcium Chloride are often the most popular. The decision between which is usually based on the availability of your geographic location. Both, Magnesium and Calcium chloride, come in a liquid or solid form.
Add organic matter
Organic matter seems to be a common theme amongst healthy soil articles, and that's because it does a lot for your garden. And yes, it can even help break up hard, compacted soil.
“My soil is too clayey,” you say. “Aha, I'll add sand.” Wrong move. Adding sand to clay creates a compact mass that's like concrete. Instead, loosen the soil with organic matter such as compost or peat moss.
Levelling shallow low spots on your lawn
Shake out a thin layer over the problem area and spread evenly using a garden rake until it is completely filled out and level. Using your feet and the flat side of the rake, tamp down and compact the soil. Lightly water the soil to further aid compaction and leave to settle.
Some of those reasons include problems such as one's lawn not receiving enough sun, grading problems, and improper filtration. Sometimes a lawn's moisture persists because the soil of someone's lawn contains smaller particles that hold in more water than other types of soil.