How to Add Sulfur to Clay Soil
According to West Texas A&M University, adding sulfur to clay soil is a way to break up the tightly packed soil. The structure of clay soil means that it is poor in nutrients and will not drain. Sulfur can also be used to lower the pH of alkaline soils. You can determine if your soil needs sulfur by having it analyzed. A soil analysis is designed to determine the mineral content of soil.
To have your soil analyzed, dig soil samples from several places in your garden, and place them in clean containers. Take these containers to a laboratory, where technicians will analyze the content using scientific tools and chemicals. The report that they give you will list the composition of soil as well as give suggestions on the best amendments and how much of each amendment to add.
- According to West Texas A&M University, adding sulfur to clay soil is a way to break up the tightly packed soil.
- You can determine if your soil needs sulfur by having it analyzed.
Consult the soil analysis results that were given to you by the laboratory that you took your soil to for analysis. The results will have suggestions that tell you how much sulfur to purchase for your soil. Sulfur rates of application will vary depending on your soil’s pH and the tilth, which is a measure of how much clay is in your soil.
Put on protective clothing when touching sulfur to prevent getting any of it on you. Most sulfur exists in powdered form, which will absorb into the skin easily, and can accidentally be breathed in.
Break up your soil using a garden spade to a depth of 8 inches.
Spread sulfur over your soil to a depth of 2 inches with a shovel.
- Consult the soil analysis results that were given to you by the laboratory that you took your soil to for analysis.
- The results will have suggestions that tell you how much sulfur to purchase for your soil.
Mix sulfur into your soil with a rake.
Tip
Dry clay can be especially hard to break up. If your soil is difficult to break up, you can soak it with a garden hose several days before working with it to loosen the soil. Wet clay has a spongy consistency. Do not walk on clay while it is wet, because you may accidentally compact it further.
Warning
Do not try to change the composition of your soil from clay to loam, or lower the pH of soil more than a single pH rating in a season. Soil responds best when it is worked over several seasons.
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Tips
- Dry clay can be especially hard to break up. If your soil is difficult to break up, you can soak it with a garden hose several days before working with it to loosen the soil. Wet clay has a spongy consistency. Do not walk on clay while it is wet, because you may accidentally compact it further.
Warnings
- Do not try to change the composition of your soil from clay to loam, or lower the pH of soil more than a single pH rating in a season. Soil responds best when it is worked over several seasons.
Writer Bio
Tracy Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000. She has published novels and numerous online articles. Her work has appeared in national magazines and newspapers including "Ferrets," "CatFancy," "Lexington Herald Leader" and "The Tulsa World." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Arkansas.
