Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Heavy Clay Soil.

We are looking for heavy clay soil to be used in the construction of a cricket pitch.  Turfgrass is planted on this heavy clay and then rolled with a heavy roller to make it rock hard so that a ball can be bounced off the surface.  Generally the clay content is 30 % or more..

I have looked through the ontario soil surveys and found that the brookston, Caistor, Lincoln and Haldimand clay types all seem to have heavy clay content.  What i'm having difficulty doing to finding access to these soils as most of the locations where they are present is farm land.  I thought i would post on these forums to see if anyone can help me out find a site where we can get access to some of this heavy clay soil.

Thanks .

Views: 1749

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Radan on August 11, 2014 at 2:38pm
We have heavy clay soil contact me at Michaelradan@gmail.com
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on August 11, 2014 at 2:39pm

How much clay do you need for the cricket pitch?

Truckloads?

Permalink Reply by Kato on August 11, 2014 at 3:10pm
Well i would take as much as possible..but a would need at least a truckload
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on August 12, 2014 at 3:31am

Responses on Twitter:


EricKaiser46:33am via Twitter for iPhone

@OntAg 30% clay is NOT heavy clay. Need 50%. Have lots. Dirt not for sale. Grow crops in it.


clayalloverAug 11, 8:34pm via Twitter for Android

@OntAg how much acreage? Is eastern ontario too far? Near Alfred college. Bearbrook clay. Some of it is that hard now

Permalink Reply by Kato on August 12, 2014 at 4:40am


ClayAllover: just had a look at the profile of Bearbrook Clay...Wow..60-80% clay.  That is the kind of clay they use on Australian cricket pitches.  Does it shrink/swell...ie..crack when dry?  Its a bit far for us as we are closer to GTA but I wonder if we can raise enough funds to be able to truck some of it....Is there an area where it is accessible.

Only problem with going very heavy clay from what i've read is that it is very difficult to grow grass on it..specially since we roll it hard like concrete with a 2 tonne roller.

I'm also attaching a document that describes the ideal soil for a cricket pitch

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on August 13, 2014 at 2:26pm

There is some pretty heavy clay around Milton area.  You might be able to work something out with a developer in the area who is going to be building homes on the land.

As far as the best clay soil for Ontario conditions.  The University of Guelph Turfgrass Institute might be able to provide some advice.   http://www.guelphturfgrass.ca/

 

 

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Five must-do activities with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at Ag in Motion

Discover the USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources (AgBio) at Ag in Motion on July 21 – 23, 2026! Ag in Motion is the largest outdoor farm expo in Western Canada, located at Discovery Farm Langham. Connect with AgBio at our college’s interactive booth (#328) and throughout the Ag in Motion site. Check off the items below for the best experience. Explore the soil pit. Join us for a soil pit presentation and then go into the soil pit yourself to explore.  Take a photo as a keepsake! Show your AgBio spirit in our photo booth. We have alumni, future alumni and college photo prop signs you can use, along with stickers! Take your photo with Boris the Wild Boar!  Learn about our student programs. Chat with our Student Recruiter about the new programs and hands-on learning experiences available in AgBio. From Agribusiness to Food and Nutrition to Forest Resources, there is something for everyone! Connect with Crop Development Centre experts. Join USask Crop Development Centre (CDC) re

Crop Report for The Period July 7 to 13, 2026

Last week, warmer temperatures, increased sunshine and limited precipitation helped fields to dry, allowing crops to catch up. Producers made progress with spraying and began haying, though high humidity continues to slow drying. Producers remain optimistic while monitoring pests, disease and localized weather impacts. Isolated storms moved through the province, bringing varying amounts of moisture, with some areas also reporting hail. The highest rainfall recorded was 88 millimetres (mm) in the Prince Albert area, followed by 72 mm in the Foam Lake area. The Blaine Lake and Redberry areas received 65 mm and 62 mm of precipitation, respectively.   Despite the relatively warm weather, with some areas experiencing dry conditions due to higher temperatures and wind, topsoil moisture levels in many regions remained relatively stable. Cropland topsoil moisture is: 17 per cent surplus; 80 per cent adequate; and Three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is: 14 per cent surplus; 83 p

More fraudulent equipment sellers popping up

Victims are reporting incidents on the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker

Koch and OCP Expand Phosphate Fertilizer Partnership

Koch acquired a 50% stake in Morocco's JFC I from OCP, expanding a fertilizer joint venture to strengthen global agricultural supply chains following suspended U.S. import duties.

CFA Summer Meeting 2026 Sets Priorities for Canada's Farm Future

The 2026 Canadian Federation of Agriculture Summer Meeting in Halifax united agricultural leaders and ministers to establish policy priorities for Canada's next Agricultural Policy Framework.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service