Janice

by Janice
(Canton,NC)

I lost my husband last year.. I’m not a farmer, a gardener at best. I am spending a bit of my money to get a 8’ x 4’ x 16” bed for asparagus crown to help provide food.. it’s western Nc clay.. I have neighbors providing soil and such.. is there a way to make it where worms will stay close to the top and amend the soil I need help, it’s just me.

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Mar 27, 2025
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Turning clay into soil
by: Pauly

Hello Janice,

I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

I hope I can help you through this tough season without the help of your significant other.

One of my toughest seasons was 2020. I lost my Father (He loved with us) and the growing season was the worst. Some season are better then others no matter how well you garden.

Anyway, Keeping worms in the garden soil and turning your clay "soil" into real soil with be a multi-year process. I will help walk you through the steps.

Since you have a small area, it should be relatively easy to apply.

You mentioned having added the soil. Know there is a difference between soil and dirt. Soil contains living, beneficial microbes. this is great for your plants.

After adding the soil with minerals (Ag Lime, Azomite, Diatomaceous Earth, ground eggshells, etc.) dig your holes for your plants and add good quality garden soil, partially decayed, leaves/woodchips, peat moss, etc. and 10-20% worm castings.

This is known as "The Mix" I only add the mix directly to the plant when planting or transplanting. I want my worm castings to last.

If you have worms in your area, add a mulch layer of woodchips or leaves about 2 inches thick.

Place kitchen scraps or cold manure or both in small amounts under bedding away from direct contact of plants. This will encourage worms indigenous worms to come.

If you worm compost, I strongly advise brewing worm tea this will drip down into the clay and feed the plants as well.

Due to the addition of carbon materials in thick layers will assure (over time) your clay will begin to turn into soil. Especially with the worms, microbes and macrobes eating the decaying material and moving about.

This is the short version but I hope you have an understanding of how to turn your clay into gardening soil.

If your interested, I have written much about this in my books and this website. I also have some YouTube videos that discuss the mix.

I have tried almost every way to garden for 20 yrs and I always go back to the mix/Castings/worm tea and my garden pics show it.

worm farming books

Thank you and best of luck this season,
Pauly, P.

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