I'm using Moler Clay based kitty litter as a soil improver anyone with experience?

[Nick_The_Greek]

To give some background I have been cultivating my current allotment for three years now. The plot is slightly sloping which has sand/lumps of clay at the bottom leading to very sandy at the top. I believe the plot is relatively close to the water-table as any taproot forming plants have gone crazy once properly grown in. I have been using cuttlefish bone put through a mascerator to attempt to buffer P.H. I cannot testify strongly that this works.

My main concerns are...
Water/Nutrient retention
P.H. going more acid
Frost
Drying out

Has anyone had experience with moler clay as a improver?

[Snadger]

If its calcined clay? it can be used in a drainage system soaking up water in the winter and used as a water reserve in the summer, or so I am led to believe.Good on sodden clay soils but not so good on sandy soils I would think.

[Snadger]

It would give similar results to adding perlite or vermiculaite.

[Nick_The_Greek]

It would give similar results to adding perlite or vermiculaite.

Well the reason I'm curious is that I have previously used it in my Aquariums as a base beneath the substrate which worked quite well. I will try it this year on half a bed and post the results.

Nick

[Nick_The_Greek]

I believe it is a form of calcined clay after a quick google. My working theory is that I could use it as a scatter as I know it breaks down and bonds on contact with water. I will test and post the results.

Nick

[toomanytommytoes]

The cat litter I use as part of a cactus/succulent potting mix is molar clay, and it doesn't seem to break down easily. It's very porous and you can hear it fizz as it sucks up water

[Penellype]

I would be very wary of putting used cat litter near anything you are going to eat due to the risk of toxoplasmosis.

[Logunner]

I would be very wary of putting used cat litter near anything you are going to eat due to the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Think the OP means ‘unused’ clean litter.

[Snadger]

Going a bit tangential here.

I am in the process of building a blacksmiths forge. Cat litter mixed with sand and cement is what I intend using as the lining. I don't think it breaks down too easily but has good insulation qualities.

[Nick_The_Greek]

Logunner is correct, i will be using unused straight from the bag

[Nick_The_Greek]

Hmmm that is interesting, I was thinking of trying to make a small furnace for pottery but never managed to find out what they line it with. However that project is firmly behind making a cold smoker and brewing my own ale.... A list of projects which seemingly never end

Nick