gardening in this Ga clay

can anyone explain to me the correct way to digg a garden and have it work in this soil? pls, im ina hurry...

I do not know if you will be tilling or turning the soil with a shovel, but for a good garden you need good soil. Here is some info on adding amendments to your clay soil to give your plantings a healthy start and prepping your bed. If you have more questions please ask.

http://www.pallensmith.com/articles/amending-garden-soil

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/soil/a/improveclaysoil.htm

http://www.renegadegardener.com/content/12prepare.htm

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/ss/NewGarden_4.htm

Where are you? What are you hoping ot plant?
Maybe a bit late to get going this spring, but first get the soil tested. Much "clay" is actually nutrient rich and holds water well, too well. You'll need to dig in amendments if needed, possibly to increase drainage, and maybe add some organic material to make it less dense.
You could try raised beds, or bale gardening, lasagna gardening or containers to have something for this season. You may have an opportunity ot do a fall planting, depending on your location.

I have a related issue. A few weeks ago I had the sod removed from about 800 sq ft of my front yard in order to make a cottage garden. I then had the guy till the soil, which is clay, and then till in a soil/compost mix. I have been mixing in additional compost, peat/humus, premium top soil, vermiculite, etc, as I have been planting shrubs and perennials. When I dig up tight balls of clay I put them aside for pickup by the city composting truck. The stuff that is workable I use with the added amendments as stated above. Despite this the soil on top looks like clay - hard and cracked when dry and sticky when wet. I want to plant seeds of various kinds throughout the garden, mainly annuals to fill in until subsequent years when the perennials have grown. I do not think I can plant seeds in this soil, can I? And for seeds on the surface, any rain will wash them away. Should I spread compost or some other amendment on top and then plant seeds in/on that? If I do that how much do I need? A couple inches?

thanks for any advice!

Bunnerrunner, I would rough up the surface and add some top soil when you plant the seeds. That will help ensure good contact with the soil and allow the small seedlings to get their roots in the amended soil and the leaves to push through the more friable soil. a couple inches should do it. just remember to work the surface when you plant.

At my last pastorate, the soil was pure clay. Plants would grow in it with the help of a little fertilizer but watering was my big problem. It just runs off. Organic matter will be a big help and mulch heavy with something like pine bark much that will break down over the year and help improve your soil. I pastor at that church for five years and when we left to come back home we had the prettiest yard in the area. Not bragging folks, just stating a fact. Good luck with you yard.

Hey Moon.

Hi Jim. I agree, plants will grow in clay, it is just hard on them and watering can be a major pain.Also, clay does not drain well so that presents a whole other set of problems.

You are absolutely right Moon. When it is wet it is to wet, when it is try it is to dry. It can be overcome with persistence. I know from hands on experience.

By the way, I was down in that part of the country a few weeks ago and the yard has gone to pot. Irks me that no one would take the time to keep it up. No telling how many plants I moved there from home as well as plants I purchased.

That is a shame. It is so sad to see a happy healthy garden die from neglect.

I wish now I had dug up a lot of the stuff and moved it with me.

Ain't it just the truth?