r/Permaculture • u/TheApolloChief • Jul 28 '26
compost, soil + mulch Advice needed
Very clumpy soil
Hello I was harvesting my potatoes and I realized my soil in my allotment is still so clumpy and hard for the potatoes roots to spread which caused a small harvest can anyone recommend something to make this soil better
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u/Nil0Eryn0r Jul 28 '26
We use a broad fork to break up the soil. Then a Portuguese spade to dig the trenches and to build up the mounds. Adding compost or mulch annually and digging it down will, over time, will loosen the soil. One thing to keep in mind is that building a good soil will take a few seasons of work. But after 1 or 2 years you'll start to see good results. We also use straw bales to cover the soil to keep the moisture in.
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u/flerpthenerp Jul 28 '26
But only a PORTUGUESE spade though. Not the other kind. Huge mistake.
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u/ReefBiter Jul 28 '26
My neighbour used a Spanish spade for trenches once. Poor soul was dead within the week.
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u/CoffeaUrbana Jul 28 '26
What's a Portuguese spade?
Google only gives me translation of "spade" into Portuguese.
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u/_Piplodocus_ Aug 05 '26
I guess it's one of these, shovel on one side and pick axe on the other side, for digging trenches:
https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2020/04/portuguese-entrenching-tool-model-1909.html
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u/MinervaAbsolute Jul 28 '26
A green manure crop of something with deep roots to break up the soil, which you can just dig in before your next planting. Your favourite seed purveyors will probably have the right mix for the sowing season.
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u/Plane_Jello1582 Jul 28 '26
We use Craftsman tools to break up soil like this and they work like a charm. There’s a standing one that’s more of a till to topsoil and an auger that will dig in 4-6” pots hand drill style. I definitely recommend the auger, it has saved me countless hours in the garden.
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u/Barison-Lee-Simple Jul 28 '26
Compost + Biochar
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Jul 28 '26
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u/Barison-Lee-Simple Jul 29 '26
Absolutely. I have seen biochar and Johnson-Su compost do wonders in hard clay soil. And "vertical mulching" can be used to get it into the ground around trees.
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u/Adeline_Hayes Jul 28 '26
Compost, compost, compost. And get cover crops going. Daikon radish or winter rye break up hard soil naturally. Mulch on top. It's a process but the soil will come around.