When I first started to add colorful perennials to our yard many years ago, I often wondered why my flowers were dying until I took the plants out and found that the water in the hole did not drain. It was Clay and lots of it. The clay layer was so fine and hard that the water has no way to go. After some research, I found that gypsum salt can penetrate into the clay layer, soften and loosen the clay structure to allow the water to drain. So I bought a bag of gypsum salt, read the instruction and began to apply the gypsum salt into the previously water-logged hole. I added a layer of sand and filled the hole with water. It took about 2 days for the water to drain. I added some gypsum salt into the hole and filled the hole with water again. This time it drained within 24 hours. I replanted a new batch of perennials into the hole, added lots of mulch and compost to make sure they would survive. Then I reduced my watering schedule to take into account of the 24 hours drainage cycle . I have no problem ever since.
From then on, I always test the soil for drainage before I plant. I lived in a former vineyard, theoretically, the soil should be perfect but because the developer of this site has to level the area, they scraped away the top soil and left the bottom layer of clay in place.
I also found that the gypsum salt is neutral to the soil, it does not change its PH and does not provide any nutrient. I always mix the soil with enough compost and cover the soil with mulch to insure that the plant has enough of nutrients to thrive. The amount of gypsum depends on the amount of clay and the drainage time can differ.
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