Yeah, I've never been able to grow hen and chicks in ga.
I can't believe that you are dumping water on the stuff that I grow without ANY supplemental water...
You are going to need to tear a page out of my notebook... Just find a source of manure/compost that will allow you to carry it away by the truckload....
As you like the western plants... Try agave... I can't hardly grow it in the sand, but it loves clay... If you can get a good patch going... Maybe you could even harvest it for syrup...
Suggest apios Americana. Can't hardly grow it in the Sand... But a good clay plant. Also try various mateleas. And... Asclepias tuberosa.
Edit:
Don't be afraid to use a LOT of manure.
When I was in the clay, I went down the beds and dumped it in overlapping wheelbarrow loads and dug it in... And then top-dressed with more.
In the sand.... I was backing up the pickup and emptying it out in overlapping piles...
The thing is... With the sawdust and wood shavings in the horse poop (around here), it is less about fertilizer, and more about soil conditioning and moisture retention and when spread on top of the beds.... Weed prevention.
Edit:
Check the manure piles behind the frozen mustard greens 2 winters ago.
