Sarah Boswell

Here are several pictures of the soil, I dug an 18" hole. You can clearly see where the soil changes from dark to red. I also notice that in the area where that change in soil occurs there is some black substance, looks like charred wood? I also found a nail at the same depth. Im thinking that it was graded some time ago and the compacted it? It seems the charred wood would be broken down by now though? I know the land was used for pasture in the '70's. The dark soil is (finally!) dry, but still smells slightly anaerobic. Come next rainfall we will be a foot deep in mud again.

I a in North Georgia, lots of pines, privet, weeping willows, and honeysuckle on the property. There is also a  mature pine forest that stays very wet during the rainy months, but not like the cleared part of the property.

Would a soil test give me any insight as to whats going on? The lady at the extension office doesn't seem t think so.

What depth should I consider it to be  a high water table? I do notice a clear line in the dirt about 9 inches down where it goes from heavy black clay to red clay (red clay is typical in my area, I've never seen black dirt before in my life.)

I want a food forest. I want to grow in the ground. My soil is heavy, black, anaerobic, wet, clay. Aside from spending thousands to drain my property, what can I do to amend the soil so my seeds dont rot in the ground? The earthworm population is amazing, the soil looks super healthy, but it is always wet!

Thank you! Im trying really hard to be patient and watch to see how this property behaves, but I think Im going to go ahead and take our advice and dig a riverbed through the yard in the worst spot...as soon as the mud dries.

My back pasture/backyard floods completely when it rains, and it stays wet most of the time. It is so boggy we cant play in the yard, and I am afraid to garden in the area because the water is carrying garbage and who knows what else. I can see an oil/gas like residue in the puddles. I also have problem with water in my crawlspace. I am thinking the water table is high since we are on a slope. Heres a video, I think it is easier to explain if you can see what Im talking about. I need some help please!!

Clover is a great idea too! Is it a good time to plant clover? My soil will be bare until it sprouts...or should I make plans to sow clover for next year? Thanks so much for yalls replies!!

Ahhh! Thank you!! Ill poke some holes. I really dont know my new property well yet, but in my neck of the woods, ALL weeds are particularly vigorous. All it takes is one good rain and the grass grows a foot overnight! Thank you for your response. I may try some topsoil over the cardboard between the cardboard and the mulch as well. Ill let you know my results!

Specs: We are in Ga, Zone 7b. HOT and rainy summers.

My family recently moved and we worked hard to get a tiny garden in. Our soil is very wet and loose, which is something I have never worked with before. We used a pitchfork to aerate the ground and laid a layer of topsoil/compost, then planted store-bought starts. Put cardboard ON TOP of the open areas as a mulch, then covered this with wood chips. The rain keeps washing the wood chips away! I realize this is a rookie problem, but as I have had limited time and $$ to get the garden going I need to know how to keep the wood chips on the garden, or a better method of quick mulching.