Discovering the dirt is rock tough is discouraging, if you are happy to plant a garden in your new home. Even though the San Francisco region has lots of rich dirt, clay soil has drained. From travel through the ground, fine clay particles clump together and prevent air, water and plant roots. The remedy is that the addition of organic matter, such as compost or manure, which provides nutrients for soil microorganisms. The waste from these types of organisms makes the soil more porous since it generates distance between the soil particles. Organic matter that is bagged can be purchased by you .
Distribute a layer of mulch or dried manure with a scoop over the ground. Until the soil till you’ve got a coating of soil and work in the natural matter. If you are adding organic matter spread a layer of organic matter but do not till the soil.
After you plant crops or flowers Insert a layer of mulch. As it decomposes mulch preserves soil moisture and adds organic matter over an elongated period. The Marin Master Gardeners website recommends herbicide-free grass clippings, which decompose fast, for flower and vegetable beds, and bark mulch, which breaks down gradually, for beds.
Sow cover crop seeds after you harvest your warm-season crops. In late winter or early spring, then work the cover crops into the soil before you plant your regular crops. Cover crops include as they decay, allowing air, water, nutrients and plant roots to maneuver easily through the soil, and taproots that add the ground and air pockets.
Insert a coating of organic matter prior to the upcoming yearly flower or vegetable harvest planting. The dirt needs enrichment from organic matter before each planting.