All soils are made up of small particles, varying in both size and texture. Clay soil particles are very tiny. Soil that is primarily clay tends to be dense and sticky when wet and very hard when dry.

Creating a productive garden or beautiful lawn in clay is difficult because the soil is challenging to work with using either hand tools or power equipment. The clay adheres to trowel, shovel and tiller blades and is neither soft nor porous.

Clay soil also provides a less than ideal environment for plant roots. This is partially due to the composition, which is mostly minerals, with only small amounts of organic matter. Also, the tiny particles that comprise the soil are situated very close together, allowing little room for air to circulate and water to drain.

The best approach for improving clay soils focuses on increasing the nutrients available to plants and loosening the texture to allow plant roots to breathe, absorb nutrients and grow. John & Bob's Soil Optimizer was developed to do both.

With "true humus"* from fully decomposed subterranean organic deposits and essential soil additives like soluble calcium and iron, Soil Optimizer creates organically healthy soil that is easier to work and provides the essentials all plants need to thrive.

To improve clay soils – either wet or hard ones – simply apply John & Bob's Soil Optimizer at the rate recommended on the bag.

Soil Optimizer may be broadcast by hand or spread with a hand held or push rotary spreader (rather than the drop style) using a #3 setting. There is no need to turn the soil or dig Soil Optimizer in; then water as you normally do.

Soil improvement will begin to occur immediately, although at a level that won’t be apparent to the naked eye (the worms will notice, though!). Give your landscape 60 to 90 days, however, and you'll start to see results in the form of stronger, greener, more disease resistant plants.

Apply John & Bob’s Soil Optimizer twice a year, typically in spring and fall, for soil that continues to improve steadily season after season.