Your yard is missing a protective layer of high carbon organic material. This six to 12 inch layer will allow the micro-organisms just below the surface of your sun-baked clay crust to establish in the high carbon mulch layer. Example, high carbon layers include:
1) saw dust or wood shavings. Spread bags of free wood worker saw dust and shaving in 18-inch thick layers. Wet the layer of wood particles to make it easier to pack down the layer by walking on it. If it is the raining season then rain will wet the layer for you.
2) wood chips. Spread think enough so that flooding does not float away wood chips.
3) if the rain does not do it for you keep the mulch layer moist till spring.
This ends Part I (fall rainy season soil preparation)
Part II Bring the Mulch layer alive with living plants
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