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This article discusses the common practice of adding sand to clay soils to improve drainage in gardens. While adding sand to clay can improve drainage on a small scale, it becomes less effective when applied to entire gardens. The article suggests an alternative method of improving drainage by mimicking the natural action of microbial life in soil, which creates a crumb structure that allows water to pass through. This can be achieved by adding organic matter such as fallen leaves, lawn clippings, and compost, which will be broken down by worms to further enhance drainage. [Extracted from the article]

The IRC is partof the International Code Councils (ICC)model building codes, which form the basisfor most building codes in the UnitedStates. --Michael G. Smith and David Wright The Basics of Cob Construction If you're interested in cob building, The Cob BuildersHandbook will help you learn the basics. For the first time, cob constructionhas been included as an appendixto the 2021 InternationalResidential Code (IRC). A model cob code opens the doorto legal cob construction throughout theU.S. and beyond. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses that People have always been drawn to water, and many can likely visualize their favorite stretch of shoreline. It mentions that the key is to try to mimic nature-the plants you add will help buffer your shoreline from erosion by absorbing runoff and floodwaters, breaking up wave energy, and anchoring soil in place.

Robert Kourik cites the (literally) groundbreaking work of Weaver, a plant ecologist who advanced our understanding of root systems of native prairie plants, as an inspiration for his own studies. I shouldn't have been surprised, as Robert reproduced in Understanding Roots a drawing of the excavated root system of a 10-year-old horseradish that had penetrated more than 14 feet down into the soil. COLUMNS GROWING GREENER REPLAYING AN INTERVIEW with gardener extraordinaire Robert Kourik the other day reminded me of how little I - and most other gardeners, I think - know about roots, and how much he does know. [Extracted from the article]

Studies of interactions among earthworms as prey for visually foraging predators required a field method that measures earthworm availability (i.e., the density of surfacing earthworms). We present such a method by counting surfacing earthworms at night by an observer lying prone on a cart propelled by an observer across measured distances at constant low speed. The method was applied in dairy farmland grasslands in The Netherlands during October and November 2011. We quantified the numbers of surfacing earthworms as well as those measured during standard hand‐sorting sampling (i.e., total abundance based on soil counts), distinguishing clay or peat soils and grasslands with either monocultures or species‐rich vegetation. Managed grasslands with different soil types showed opposing correlations between surface availability and total abundance of earthworms. This emphasizes the importance of direct measurements of earthworm availability if the goal of the study is to explain the behavior of either visual earthworm predators or earthworms themselves. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. We developed and field‐tested a quantitative research tool to measure the availability of earthworms in grasslands for visually hunting predators, a method that is easy to perform and replicable. We have shown that only a small fraction of the total earthworms come to the surface at night and soil counts of earthworms do not predict densities of surfacing earthworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are about 28 different kinds of wild calibrachoa, similar to the number of different wild petunias (about 21), but the calibrachoas have a much broader range of colors and they are capable of generating a more complex mix of hues than petunias. Newer varieties are more tolerant of a wider range of soils and environments, though this is still a plant better suited for containers than most garden soils. Other than that, a balanced acidic plant fertilizer applied regularly will give the plant energy to produce thousands of flowers all season long. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information about Linda Taylor's journey in creating a pond in her backyard and how it led to her fascination with dragonflies and damselflies. She shares her experience of witnessing a damselfly nymph emerge into an adult and provides photographs of the process. It shows how even a small backyard pond can become a habitat for wildlife, and how anyone can learn to appreciate and observe the wonders of nature.

The article offers information on native shrubs designed by nature for less than optimal site conditions. It is noted that red twig dogwood shrub has four seasons of interest and it prefers moist soils and can tolerate standing water, seasonal flooding and clay soils. It is noted that winterberry, a deciduous holly native to the eastern U.S., thrives in boggy conditions, poorly drained soils and wet woods.

We always recommend a soil test to determine the appropriate soil amendments, including compost, for your yard and your gardening goals. Adding too much compost can make the problem worse (remember, compost helps soils stay moist!). Depending on your compost mix, adding compost may not meet all the nutrient demands of your garden. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers tips on clay body characteristics to understand some sense of the clay's composition and behavior. It notes that the plasticity of a clay body is determined by the additions of fine-particle ball clays or plasticizers. It adds how the color of the unfired clay body says much about the composition, with it being an indicator of the particular kinds of clay used in formulation.

The article reports on the possibility of life on Mars. It mentions the movement of the Curiosity rover into a region with more clays, the research of Patricia Craig at the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona in studying similar clays to see if they can support bacteria, and the difficulty of detecting such bacteria.

However, an isolated, inland population of red mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle) grows along the San Pedro Mártir River, 170 kilometers from the coast, in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Mangrove trees typically grow on the coast in saline or brackish water. Plant surveys tallied nearly 100 coastal species in the inland mangrove forest in addition to the red mangrove trees. [Extracted from the article]

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Nursery Plants Contain Bee-Killing Chemicals" in the February/March 2014 issue and "From Field to Flour: How to Grow Wheat" and "How to Improve Clay Soil," both in the April/May 2014 issue.

This paper summarizes available information on soil clay mineralogy in topsoils of Costa Rica, including clay minerals described in B horizons when significantly different from predominant mineralogy in the topsoil. The soil clay suites ("predominant clay groups") emphasized are grouped as: (1) smectites and interstratified clays (Vertisols and other soils with vertic properties), and (2) oxides-hidroxides-oxihidroxides-kaolinite-gibbsite (in Alfisols, Ultisols and Oxisols). The soil clay genesis of these dominant groups is discussed when enough information is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings in a total of 84 research papers identifying clay minerals on 520 soil samples of Costa Rica are summarized. This review emphasizes on the clay minerals described in the topsoil samples, although clay minerals in the B horizons are also discussed when they are different to predominant mineralogy in the topsoil. Sites where soil clays information is available were geo-referenced, to observe their geographical distribution. In general most of the country possesses soil clays identified, except for the Nicoya Peninsula, the Northern Zone, and the Eastern Talamanca Range. Clay mineralogy suites ("predominant clay groups") were grouped as: (1) vitrous-amorphous-halloysitic (Andisols and other soils with andic properties; (2) smectites and interstratified clays (Vertisols and other soils with vertic properties); (3) oxides-hidroxides-oxihidroxides-kaolinite-gibbsite (Alfisols, Ultisols and Oxisols); Plus a large area of soils with mixed clay mineralogy, found in places with little or no development (Entisols and Inceptisols). The soil clay genesis of the main clay types in the country is discussed when enough information was available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical stabilization is one of the techniques that are used for the improvement of soils, using chemical substances that modify its characteristics. In Cuba an investigation is developed that leaves of the creation of a procedure of stabilization of soils using quaternary salts of ammonium, that It knows as ROCAMIX, that has as main advantages its economy and simplicity in its employment, besides getting the resistance increment and permeability reduction in the soils. In the article it shows up the way in that the quaternary salts produce the changes in the soils, as well as the modifications of the physical and mechanical properties of two types of stabilized soils with this system, comparing the properties of the soil in their natural state and after having improved, as well as the influence of the compaction energy and the evolution of the characteristics of the stabilized soils In the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The increasing use of clays, with a high montmorillonite content in their mineralogical composition, as hydraulic and contaminant barriers for landfill and soil remediation applications needs to be supported by an adequate theoretical modelling of the mechanical behaviour and transport properties, in order to assess the expected performances in the long term. The framework of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes was adopted in a companion paper to derive phenomenological constitutive equations for a clay soil characterised by swelling and osmotic phenomena, without specifying any of the physical mechanisms that occur at the pore scale. In this paper, a physical approach is proposed in order to provide an interpretation of the phenomenological parameters, obtained from laboratory tests. The soil structure is assumed to be constituted by montmorillonite lamellae, that can be aggregated to form the so-called tactoids, which have a slit-like geometry. Chemical equilibrium is assumed to be established between the bulk electrolyte solution and the internal pore solution at the macroscopic scale, so that the hydraulic pressure and ion concentrations can be evaluated through the Donnan equations. Water and ion transport is described at the pore scale through the generalised Navier–Stokes equation and the generalised Nernst–Planck equations, respectively. Mechanical behaviour is modelled taking into account intergranular contact stresses. The approach is applied to interpret literature experimental results, showing how it can reduce the number of tests that need to be carried out and provide insight into the physical mechanisms that determine the observed phenomena. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Clay soils with a high montmorillonite content in their mineralogical composition are characterized by swelling and osmotic properties like biological tissues and polyelectrolyte gels. These phenomena are caused by the very high specific surface (≈760m2/g) and the negative electric charge of montmorillonite lamellae, which determine an interaction with the charge of the ions present in the pore solution. The interest in modelling the behavior of such soils is related to the evaluation of their performances as hydraulic and contaminant barriers in landfill and soil remediation applications. The theoretical approach of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes is applied to find suitable phenomenological constitutive equations, under the assumptions of a unidimensional geometry, infinitesimal strains of the solid skeleton and isothermal conditions. The approach is related to a saturated porous medium, whose voids are filled by an electrolyte solution containing an unspecified number of ions. To make the approach purely phenomenological, the parameters introduced into the constitutive equations are expected to be measured by macroscopic experimental tests, without any specification of the physical and chemical phenomena that occur at the pore scale. The constitutive equations allow the coupled transport and consolidation problem to be formulated for a clay barrier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article highlights the fruit orchard planned by interior designer Betsy McClendon for her husband Scott's birthday, at their one-acre property in La Jolla, California. It relates that the land's clay soil and shade from towering pine trees posed significant challenges to the planting of fruit trees, but McClendon and landscape contractor Gary McCook dealt with these problems by planting the citrus trees in raised redwood beds and pruning the tree branches regularly. As of 2011, the McClendon orchard features citrus, stone fruits, apples, and grapes.

Anchored walls are the strongest type of retaining wall, and they can be combined with other techniques. Drainage tiles placed behind the wall can help alleviate water build-up in poorly drained soils. PHOTO (COLOR): The right type of retaining wall depends on soil type, the extent of the slope and other factors influencing stability. [Extracted from the article]

This article focuses on tips for maintenance of lawns. The ideal solution to problems of bad soil, bad grass or poor drainage in lawns is to remove 5 to 6 in. of clay soil, replace it with topsoil and replant with a hardy seed or sod. Tilling the old lawn is a very difficult task. For spots in the yard that do not drain properly, the problem can be solved by first creating a drainage channel, or swale, that is sloped to allow the water to run off.

The article looks at research regarding the surface of Mars. Clays, called phyllosilicates, found on the surface of Mars suggest that the planet used to be covered with water safe enough to touch. Sulfates on the surface of Mars show a change in climate that made the water on Mars acidic. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration plans to launch a lander to Mars to conduct experiments on the soil.

The article focuses on a study of how to evaluate the potential of clay soils in a given area for use in industrial applications at National Mining Institute in Maputo, Mozambique. It mentions that physical properties of the samples were determined using several methods including Robinson's pipette method and Casagrande apparatus.

Potash has been here all along, right under our feet. It makes up about 2% of the earth's crust. But it's riot evenly distributed, and what's there isn't always available to plants. So as gardeners, it's up to us to refine nature's design. There are two things one can do: free up the potash that's already there, or rearrange the earth a little bit to put the potash where it will do the most good. The soil type determines the best course of action. Clay soils are naturally high in potash, and so are most soils with plenty of organic matter. INSET: Signs of Shortage..

Discusses efforts to design a foundation in soft glacial clay for column loads for Ontario Hydro's Lambton Thermo Generating Station on the St. Clair River in Ontario, Canada. Construction of three buildings; Use of the COM-622c program to design piles for combined axial and bending stresses; Production pile driving; Reducing downdrag; Floating-mat foundation; More.

Provides tips for high-altitude gardening. Types of Western mountain soils; Way to loosen clay soil and make it workable; Addition of organic matter; Importance of composting; Soil temperature; Method of promoting hardy crops; Relation between the size of the garden and the methods use to fight summer frosts; Plants for high-altitude.

Country Lore Readers' Tips to Live By I found a great way to keep rabbits and groundhogs out of my garden. I planted lettuce, spinach, kale,radishes, carrots, beets, and bunching onions. Bush beans and garden peas also do well inthese raised beds. [Extracted from the article]

This article describes the victory of Rafael Nadal over Roger Federer for the French Open tennis championship. Federer is ranked No. 1 and Nadal is No. 2, but Federer has only beaten Nadal once in seven matches. Many question how Federer can be anointed the best tennis player of all time if he isn't the best of his generation. Nadal has won 60 straight matches on clay courts and Federer was attempting to win the grand slam of tennis in the same calendar year.

Answers questions on horticulture. Recommended spring-flowering bulbs for lawns; Ideal soil amendment for clay soil; Guidelines for overwintering ornamental varieties of common sweet potato.

The article offers tips on how gardeners can maximize the virtues of clay soil and minimize its faults. It suggests that compost is a great amendment for clay soils as compost is key to changing the structure of clay soils. The article also informs how to evaluate soil texture, which is the relative proportion of sand, silt and clay properties.

The article describes the antibacterial properties of a clay found in France which has been successfully used to treat the skin disease Mycobacterium ulcerans. After a series of tests, researchers found that the clay is high in iron, causing its green color, and is strongly alkaline. They tested the clay on other bacterias and found it to stop the growth of Escherichia coli, salmonella and staphylococcus.

The article presents a guide for elementary art teachers on teaching students how to create clay vacation postcards. This technique introduces the idea on how to experiment a three-dimensional clay mailing-card that represents a vacation destination. The materials to be used include moist clay, needle tools and alphabet stamps. Furthermore, the step-by-step instructions for making a clay vacation postcards and an assessment process of the activity are discussed.

Presents information on the Eden Project, an international visitor attraction set in a former clay quarry in Cornwall, England. Features of the garden; Size of the garden; Goal of the project.

Presents an article on gardening. Recommendations on dealing with garden clay problems; Comments on the directions stated on several plant seed packets.

The article reports on a study published in the journal "Environmental Geochemistry and Health,"conducted by Lynda Williams and colleagues that reveals the potential of clays with antibacterial properties found near Crater Lake in Oregon as new agents in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The study shows the effectivity of the clays against other strains of bacteria including beta-lactamase-resistant Escherichia coli and the potential of the clays in the pharmaceutical industry.

Presents a question and answer on using gypsum to break up heavy clay soil. Characteristics and uses of gypsum; Effectiveness of gypsum in reclaiming alkaline soils high in sodium found in arid parts of the West; Mechanisms by which sodium breaks down the crumb structure of soil into individual particles that pack together and prevent water and air from entering; Effects of gypsum on soil hydrogen-ion concentration; Lack of effect of gypsum for heavy soils that are salt-free.

Explains the expression 'as soon as the ground can be worked?' which appears regularly in planting instructions. Way to retain the soil structure; Consequences of the high clay content of the soil; Importance of the high amount of organic matter; Ways to test the readiness of the soil.

Discusses the addition of leftover pieces of sheet rock to gardens. Use of gypsum in the boards for clay soil during summer; Improvement of soil texture; Displacement of sodium due to calcium in the gypsum.

The article provides an answer to a question about ways of making gardening easier with clay soil.

This article discusses how novice gardeners from regions of Australia with heavier clay soils can keep beneficial worm population from wriggling to the surface and leaving bumps and mounds in a lawn. The author reveals that a simple solution is to add more organic matter in the form of aged manure and compost to the area where the worms have surfaced. The article also offers tips on how gardeners can encourage worms in the soil as well various beneficial bacteria and good organisms.

The article features Powell Gardens in Kansas City, Missouri. Horticulturist Alan Branhagen of Powell Gardens regarded the climate of the city as one of the extremes. It also notes that the city gets around 35 inches of rain annually while its clay soil is said to be is rich in minerals. Meanwhile, it mentions several crops that are a favorite among gardeners at Powell Gardens including Northstar pie cherry, Apache blackberry, and Waltham butternut squash.

The article presents a study which indicated that 21,000 square miles of undeveloped clay soils in Texas are in counties having an abundance of surface water, seawater, or saline groundwater. It showed that groundwater below the clay soil is often heated so it may maintain algae cozy on the coldest winter nights. The study also revealed that Texas produces far more dry manure and has an increasing number of large dairy and hog feedlots generating liquid manure.

The article presents gardening advice offered by members of this publication's online forum, which is available at www.organicgardening.com. Clay soil should be treated with organic amendments such as grass clippings, straw and river sand. To increase the heat of peppers, the plants should be allowed to wilt while the peppers are ripening, after which they should be flooded. A plastic trash can may be used as a compost bin by removing the bottom and drilling one-inch holes around the diameter.

Provides information on various online resources on the use of clay in art classes. Essay about the use of clay in learning visual thinking; Online lessons suitable for different kinds of modeling materials; Annotated list of books and readings about clay.

This article presents a reply to a question regarding the cracking problems in the gray clay during summer and suggestive actions towards rebuilding the soil. It is suggested that adding top-soil organic matters to the grey clay should be applied and maintained annually. A three part corrective program recommended is: composting, mulching, and covering crops. The soil is recommended to be covered always to sort out or even lessen the formation of cracks. The mulch keeps soil and compost moist so the plants can make the most of it.

Shares a technique for growing perfect parsnips in clay soil. Starting parsnip seed indoors in cell packs; Transplanting the seedlings in sandy loam.