Question
QUESTION: Hi James,
I'm sending this to you because I'm 65 and have been gardening for 40 years, TX, FL, NY, NJ, Sydney Australia.

I just want to let someone know what I learned from my uncle a farmer.  

I tried this on pick hard clay soil that had been dug up by when drainage "lines" were put on our property before we bought the new house.

When I have soil like that my answer is "PLANT WHITE POTATOES"  I was so desperate that I tried it.  No actual food.  However, I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION OF MY SOIL after the plants matured - TERRIFIC.  

I know this sounds unbelievable.  It really worked for me in the Houston, TX area.  I'd really like other gardners to know this.  Thank you.


ANSWER: Hi Beverly,  You are right.  Nature's way of breaking up the soil is with roots.  I never pull out my annuals.  I just cut them off at the ground and leave the organic matter in the ground to decompose.  
In today's hurried society, we want the same results...but today.  So we have to loosen the clay and incorporate organic matter to plant the flowers we want blooming tomorrow...if not sooner!
Thanks  Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There is actually something in the POTATOES.  Probably has to do with potatoes being a root crop.  You are comparing ANNUALS AND POTATOES.  same as flowers and lequmes

KISS Murphy

Answer
Apparently you still misunderstand.  I was comparing the effects of root action on the soil, not annuals to potatoes.  For the benefit of others who read and appreciate this site, let me explain.
Imagine a grain of sand the size of the White House. A clay particle would then be about the size of an orange.  Roots are the best way to separate these tiny particles.  A single wheat plant harvested 75 days after germination has well over 50 miles of roots and feeder roots.  A single mature oak tree can have over 600,000 miles of roots and feeder roots. Many of the annuals you seem to think aren't important secrete enzymes that dissolve granite. It's a good system.
Potatoes will indeed improve the soil, as will green manures and any plant.
In the home garden, to speed the process, we mechanically loosen the soil and incorporate organic matter to give the new plant pathways for roots and an environment suitable for the beneficial microbes to flourish. Not nearly as effective as Mother Nature, but the best mere mortals can do.
And just so you'll know, even potato farmers break up the soil before they plant.
Since you have decided to call me names (stupid) there will be no further response.  Jim