[quote=Hobie]Depending on how deep the clay is consider these options:
1. Remove all the clay (1.5 – 2 feet deep)and replace with good topsoil.
2. Install a french drain with gravel to keep proper drainage and prevent a swamp.
3. Gypsum, Gypsum, Gypsum. It’s cheap and it really works opening up the clay. Don’t just dust the surface, it takes a good inch of the stuff tilled in.[/quote]

Thanks, Hobie, the french drain is what I’ll do before I install a 4′ x 27′ brick walkway. I’m familiar with this, having installed them on other properties I’ve owned. I know how to do the gravel bed for it.

A friend and I used 30 bags of gypsum between the back and front yard in 2006 and rented a rototiller, but it is hard pan clay again, due to intermittent sprinkler system malfunctions. We only used about 20 bags of topsoil though. I don’t think this was enough, and the rototiller labored a lot. I don’t think it got two feet deep because it spun up against the hard clay. I am no longer able to operate one anymore due to carpal tunnel syndrome. I may end up having to rent a Bobcat. One of my neighbors just hired one and basically replaced their entire lot with new topsoil. That would be the fast way to go.

My sprinkler-system repairs will be finished tomorrow. I think I’ll water the ground really well and then try to work in more topsoil little by little. I don’t think we used enough topsoil the first time. And of course, more gypsum!

All the other properties I’ve owned had sandy soil, but that had it’s own issues – a proliferation of ants and anthills. We spent a small fortune on Diazinon and went thru several tank sprayers. Coulda – shoulda owned stock in Ortho – LOL!