what is Marl soil?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by honeybunny, Jul 8, 2014.

  1. honeybunny

    honeybunny Head Gardener

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    Chatting to my uncle this morning and he mentioned how his soil is Marl soil (marl or maril ? Sounds like that) ive never heard this term before, i always just thought he had heavy clay soil like us. Can some knowledgeable soul please enlighten me please :)
     
    honeybunny, Jul 8, 2014
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  2. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I think of Marl(sp?) as being what you get if you trample clay - used to be done to make a pond (on clay soil, natch!) waterproof
     
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      Kristen, Jul 8, 2014
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    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

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      Marl is a calcerious mudstone, usually with a clay content as well. Can contain other minerals, such as Glauconite & Dolomite.

      Should be quite fertile :)
       
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        Phil A, Jul 8, 2014
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Marl is a type of clay dug out of pits, it used to be used a lot in farming - spread onto light sandy soil to create a loam mixture to improve moisture retention . I never heard the term Marl soil before but I think your uncle is saying he has a nice loamy soil created from this marling process, or it could be a local term describing the same thing.
         
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          JWK, Jul 8, 2014
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        • honeybunny

          honeybunny Head Gardener

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          thank you all :love30:
           
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            honeybunny, Jul 13, 2014
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