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How to work on a clay / sandy type of soil?

 
                              
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Hello you all,

I need some advise. I just got a piece of land in the Mediterranean area. When it rains the soil gets an clay structure, but in dry weather it becomes quite sandy. 

The land has not been worked on for quite a while. At the moment there are a few vines, apple trees and pines growing on it.

What is the best way to start working on this land, what can I grow here best to make the soil fertile?

Jantra
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By the way, the field is about 35m by 30m long.
It is on a small slope facing south.
Summer temperature can go to 35 degrees Celsius and winter 10 degrees below zero.

 
pollinator
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Location: zone 7
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tap rooted plants, big ones, and lots of them.
 
pollinator
Posts: 4437
Location: North Central Michigan
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I'm far from the mediterranian area but my soil us mostly clay ..deep clay, with a nice topsoil over it..and then there are strips of pure white sand that run through it above the clay here and there..so it is similar to yours other than the climate.

if you would like to check out my blog below, there are lists of plants that I grow here ..but I'm zone 4/5 rather than your warmer climate..so I'm not sure how much help it will be for you
 
                              
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Thank you for your reactions. It surely is helpful to me.
 
Posts: 383
Location: Zone 9 - Coastal Oregon
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I had the same problem, and I lasagne sheet mulched around the trees.


From top down:


dolomite / lime

water it

hay

high carbon materials

high nitrogen materials

double layer of cardboard

trampled grasses, weeds, and other organic scraps of food.







It takes time to break down, but in the long run, I found it works out the best for large areas that need help. 
 
All of the world's problems can be solved in a garden - Geoff Lawton. Tiny ad:
Binge on 17 Seasons of Permaculture Design Monkeys!
http://permaculture-design-course.com
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