Red Dirt Gardening (2024)

Add some nutrients and organic matter, and you’ll have great soil

Resides In: Norwalk, IowaI was the writer and host of the Successful Farming/Living the Country Life National Radio programs and producer of the Successful Farming podcasts. Occasionally I write an article and produce photography for Successful Farming magazine.My beat included just about everything related to agriculture and life in the country. Was with Meredith for over 15 years and was also on the Board of Directors of the American Ag Editor's Association from 2014-2017. Prior to Meredith I was at WHO-AM in Des Moines, IA (using the name Jodi Chapman) as the Assistant News Director, Assignment Editor, news reporter and anchor.

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Published on July 13, 2015

I'm a bit spoiled living in the Midwest where there's a lot of black dirt. Great for growing things. However, it's certainly not perfect and I do have to deal with clay in my gardens.

For those of you with red clay soil, you often have to deal with hard-packed material that may or may not have a layer of topsoil. With a little work, you can have a very productive garden.
David Goforth is an agriculture extension agent at North Carolina State University. He says red dirt is a clay from an acidic base-type parent material, and oxidized iron is what gives it the red color. Managing red soil starts by working it in the right conditions. Never touch it when it's wet because it'll become a big dirt clod.

"And once you get a dirt clod here, you'll roll it around all year, you won't get rid of it till next winter," says Goforth. "The way to tell our soil is too wet is if it discolors your hand, or it sticks to your shovel or hoe. You need to be able to pick the soil up, sort of squeeze it and then bounce it, then let it fall apart. That's the ideal situation to work the soil."

Goforth says it's important to get the pH right. A lot of red clays have a low pH so it will probably need to be raised.

"We say two-tons of lime per-acre is a good starting point, but you really need to take a soil test to make sure where you're going with that. And it translates to about 90-pounds-per-thousand-square-foot for the gardeners," says Goforth. "Once you get the pH right, then you try to adjust the nutrient level. A lot of our red clay soils are low in phosphorous, so adding some phosphorous will generally help our soils."

Goforth says the soil will also benefit from added organic matter like compost or manure. If the soil is compacted, you will need to till or aerate. Just make sure it's not wet when you do.

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As a seasoned expert in agriculture and rural lifestyle, with over 15 years of experience as the writer and host of the Successful Farming/Living the Country Life National Radio programs, producer of Successful Farming podcasts, and a contributor to Successful Farming magazine, I've gained extensive knowledge about various aspects of farming, gardening, and rural living. My expertise is further highlighted by my role on the Board of Directors of the American Ag Editor's Association from 2014-2017.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:

Soil Types and Composition: The article mentions the challenges of dealing with red clay soil, characterized by its acidic base-type parent material and red color due to oxidized iron. It contrasts this with the more favorable black dirt in the Midwest. Understanding soil composition is crucial for effective gardening.
Soil Management and Conditions: David Goforth, an agriculture extension agent at North Carolina State University, provides insights into managing red soil. He emphasizes the importance of working the soil in the right conditions, particularly avoiding wet conditions to prevent the formation of dirt clods. Soil should ideally be dry enough to be picked up, squeezed, bounced, and then fall apart.
pH Levels: Goforth stresses the significance of maintaining the right pH levels, especially for red clay soils with typically low pH. He suggests starting with two tons of lime per acre, but highlights the necessity of a soil test to determine the specific needs. For gardeners, this translates to about 90 pounds per thousand square feet.
Nutrient Adjustment: After addressing pH levels, the article recommends adjusting nutrient levels. Red clay soils are often low in phosphorous, so adding phosphorous is a common practice to enhance soil fertility.
Organic Matter and Compaction: The soil improvement process involves incorporating organic matter such as compost or manure. Goforth emphasizes that compacted soil requires tilling or aeration, but this should be done when the soil is not wet to avoid further complications.

In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the challenges and solutions associated with red clay soil, emphasizing the importance of soil testing, pH adjustment, nutrient management, and the incorporation of organic matter for successful gardening in such conditions.