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A Master Gardener Demo garden project will have a dozen Earthkind and OGR roses. We have 2 areas about 10' X 15' for them. These are in 3 gal pots and nice healthy plants. The rose growers ( Chamblee's) suggested expanded shale to add to the planting area. It cost about $7 a bag and we need 100 or more bags from their suggestions.
The area was under story trees that were cut, then the ground scraped by the Forest Service crew. Most roots were removed leaving hard red clay. 4-5 inches of good compost has been added and tilled into the top 4-5 inches of this soil. Still after a rain the soil stays soggy for a good while. I think planting into this area will be like potting them into a clay pot with no hole. I do not think that the roses will grow well in these conditions. Since they were a generous donation I do not want to harm them.
Is there another element that we could use that would cost less but be effective in breaking up the clay soil?
We have access to loads of wood chips, compost and a very sandy soil. We can also build this area up another 5-6 inches of good soil if needed but still compacted clay soil is under ground.
Any suggestion ?
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