What is Red Clay?
[caption id="attachment_4995" align="alignright" width="440"] Red Clay - CCA 2.0 Generic by CC:BY[/caption] Red clay or red mud, is the common name for a variety of ultisol found in the SE United States. Residents who live in the area often speak poorly of the soil, although in fact it isn't as poor as all that. Some dislike it because it is hard to keep their clothes and homes clean. The USDA’s “Soil Taxonomy – 2nd Edition” includes ultisols among its twelve soil orders. Red clay is rich in weathered minerals. Over time, rain leaches out soil calcium, magnesium and potassium. This makes a soil 'old.' Particles in such soils are smaller than 2.0 microns. The red color is due to iron oxide. General Clay Composition Clays include the kaolinite of red…