BTDT and it sucks and only lasts a few years it seems like.
CaptainPhilFan described it as red clay and I don’t know if that’s the top soil and there’s a redder clay down below or if the top soil is simply gone. If it’s gone and there is no stratification between a topsoil and subsoil, double digging won’t do much. She/He/The may want to dig dig a hole a couple of feet deep and see that’s what. See if there’s layers or just all red clay.
I got lucky when I bought this place. We do have red clay for subsoil and a lot of rocks and many people don’t have much of anything for topsoil but this place has a flat spot with anywhere from 1-2 foot of fairly rock free clayey loam and according to the USGS soil survey, this type of top soil/subsoil combo is considered prime farmland. I only have 2-3 acres out of 14 that’s not rocky as can be but that 2-3 acres is enough for me. The goats seem to be fine with the rest and I don’t have to trim hooves because the rocks do it for me.
Hello! I’m grateful for your considerable knowledge. I have been reading soil maps and such. Some seem to be saying the area has “clay-y loam”. When I dig in my yard there is a covering of weedy grasses growing in what appears to be just red clay, at least 2 feet deep.
More reading, there are some crops that will grow in clay. others will need highly amended soil or pots. I’ve tried to find info on the Roanoke Cooperative pages, not much, and they don’t seem as active as other Extensions in the larger area.
If this year wasn’t so fraught with unknowns and uncertainties I’d not be so nervous, and just try a small plot and see what happens. As is, I’ll just do the best I think I can and most of all, keep the dogs out of it.