View Full Version : Argh, I hate rocky clay soil.
Want Them All
09-27-2009, 06:34 PM
I'm trying to dig a hole for a 5-gallon white sapote. Keep hitting rocks, finally got it to be 3' wide and 2' deep, poured some water in it, 20 minutes later, most of the water is still there. I heard that if I use a post digger to make a hole at least another foot further down and fill it with gravels. This deep hole should be about 9" in diameter and 1' deep. Then plant the tree in the original 3' x 2' hole. Drainage will no longer be an issue. Has anybody done this?
sunfish
09-27-2009, 07:11 PM
I would use a perforated pipe with filter fabric. Extend the pipe 2" above grade so air can get in . You can also buy a hand pump that is made to pump out any standing water in the pipe.
Want Them All
09-27-2009, 07:31 PM
How deep into the ground do you recommend I insert the pipe? How far away from the trunk? How many pipes is enough?
Thanks,
Tomsamba
10-02-2009, 07:14 AM
My yard has these conditions, same conditions in places. Good fertile soil about 4" deep, crappy clay and rocks about 18" deep and some God awful looking crap below, that is totally nutrient free. So what I started doing was digging down about a foot and mixing that stuff with just organics and sand. Then building frames out of 2 x 4's up around the hole depending on the plant size and filling with good stuff, dirt, sand and poop, that I mixed up. Basically a raised bed for each plant, then as the roots of each plant locks up the good stuff above ground I remove the frames. I have also been putting a bunch of worm eggs each time I plant something. The soil in my entire yard is improving. I have a long way to go(big yard), but I am on my way.
Want Them All
10-02-2009, 05:34 PM
My yard has these conditions, same conditions in places. Good fertile soil about 4" deep, crappy clay and rocks about 18" deep and some God awful looking crap below, that is totally nutrient free. So what I started doing was digging down about a foot and mixing that stuff with just organics and sand. Then building frames out of 2 x 4's up around the hole depending on the plant size and filling with good stuff, dirt, sand and poop, that I mixed up. Basically a raised bed for each plant, then as the roots of each plant locks up the good stuff above ground I remove the frames. I have also been putting a bunch of worm eggs each time I plant something. The soil in my entire yard is improving. I have a long way to go(big yard), but I am on my way.
That's a good idea, raised bed planting. For my situation I was able to dig the "chimney drains", I dug 2 of them 2' further down from the bottom of the original hole, filled them with pea gravels. Water seems to be draining down there fast when I water. :woohoonaner:
Tomsamba
10-02-2009, 06:34 PM
Are you actually digging down another two feet or do you have a drill bit to do it? I thought about the drill bit.....
sunfish
10-02-2009, 07:40 PM
If the ground is not to bad try using a post hole digger.
Tomsamba
10-02-2009, 07:46 PM
Shoot...not to bad? Mine is bloody awful...hence the drill....
Want Them All
10-04-2009, 01:33 PM
The drill bit I have is too small, only 1" in diameter, it's used to drill holes about 12" deep around some plants, fill them with sand, to improve drainage.
I use this bad boy to dig all my planting holes, as well as for the chimney drain. To scoop out the dirt from the drain hole, I have a post digger.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=24343&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24343&ppuser=5976)
Tomsamba
10-04-2009, 05:33 PM
OK I am extremely jealous....I need one badly.....
MediaHound
10-04-2009, 09:15 PM
YouTube - Dyna-Diggr Powel Shovel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxamY1FPPlY&feature=player_embedded)
YouTube - Dyna-Diggr - User's Guide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLcjfgElyMA&feature=player_embedded)
YouTube - Brisco Inc. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4QvTkqO9k&feature=player_embedded)
Abnshrek
10-04-2009, 11:27 PM
I've dug some holes in my day, but I never used a jackhammer with a shovelhead.. lol I can borrow a rotary pump hole digger when I put in my fence but if I'm planting something I'm digging it by hand to get my exercise I have clay down about 18 inches with copper lookin' rocks and a combination of black dirt and sand mix above that.
Dean W.
12-21-2009, 07:13 PM
I have the same type stuff here.:ha:
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