My backyard is a massive chunk of clay, I don't know how to compare it to, but pretty much impossible to work with without a tiller; I've broken several hand tools (eg. shovels, hand tillers, even a mattock/pick axe) trying to go through it whether it was wet or dry. Right now I don't care about anything growing in a particular area of it -- I just want it to drain better where I plan to build a shed and playhouse/swingset for my kids, so it will be covered by some other medium that I don't expect to grow anything (eg. pea pebble, mulch, rubber, or some other playground material).
My plan is to use a combination of gypsum and organic material (eg. mulch, shredded pine needles, etc.) to change the composition and expanded shale to loosen it and keep it loose. I'm looking at approximately an area of about 100 sq yards. I have done a bit of research, and I know it should depend on the thickness of soil but even then haven't really read any recommendations on how much gypsum or expanded shale should be added per square yard to make it worth it -- any suggestions for perhaps, worst-case-scenario of clay soil?
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