Information on gardening on limestone, alkaline clay, and caliche soils with suggestions for lime-loving and heat-tolerant trees, shrubs, roses, annuals, and gardens that will attract wildlife.

A virtual index to gardening in the South, you can't afford to garden without this friendly anthology of personalities, experiences, and information.

An indispensable resource to all manner of flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees, and grasses, this collection of lists provide expert-tested recommendations for the plants best suited to Texas's unusual extremes. The gardening guidance provided applies to the entire state, including plants adapted to the wide diversity of climates and soil types.

The tiny particles and strong cohesiveness of clay soil define it as a specific type of soil. The most microscopic soil particles, clay minerals, make up the bulk of the material, with smaller amounts of silt and sand also present. Once wet, clay soil is smooth and sticky; after drying, it can get extremely hard and compacted. Among the most distinguishing features of clay soil are: - Texture: When wet, clay soil feels sticky and has a fine, smooth texture. It hardens into intractable clumps when it dries. - Preserving Water: The capacity to hold onto water is a distinguishing characteristic of clay soil. Because of its large surface area and small particle size, clay soil is excellent at retaining moisture. In terms of plant growth, this might be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the drainage conditions. - Plant-Friendly: Many kinds of plants thrive in clay soil since it is typically rich in nutrients. Unfortunately, growing plants in clay can be difficult at times due to the material's thick structure, which can obstruct root growth and water penetration. - Compacting: When clay soil is wet, it becomes extremely compressed. Soil air, water, and nutrient circulation can be hindered, which could harm plants and stunt their root growth. - Tillage can be a real pain when dealing with clay soil because of how heavy and sticky it is, especially when wet. The soil's structure can be easily damaged during tilling or digging. - The Properties of Clay Soil: When clay soil is moist, it tends to expand, and when it is dry, it contracts. Soils rich in clay can crack and buildings constructed on such terrain can sustain harm. Adding organic matter improves the structure and drainage of clay soil, cover crops minimize compaction, and proper watering practices avoid waterlogging; these are just a few of the ways that clay soil can be enhanced despite its obstacles. Gardening, farming, and landscaping can all benefit from clay soil if it is managed correctly.

For many gardeners, trying to establish a garden on clay soil is a difficult and costly exercise. Many plants which do well in other conditions die or fail to thrive when confronted with heavy clay.This informative guide to gardening on clay soils will help save you time and money. It provides specific information on planting, watering and mulching plants in clay conditions and lists both ornamental and edible plants which can grow in clay, with tips on how to grow them successfully.