Here is Why You Should Use Gypsum in Gardening
Posted: Tuesday, August 30, 2005
by james ellison
Do you have clay or layer of hard subsoil problems in your garden?
Then gypsum may be the answer to help loosen the soil structure. It is not considered a miracle substance and you will find that it doesn't work right away, but a 3 year program of applications should help improve the poor soil conditions. It is not expensive and is easy to spread where needed.
A gardener faces one of the biggest problems in a new or established garden if they have a clay or layer of hard subsoil type of soil. This type of soil creates poor drainage, soggy soil and soil compaction.
When you have a new garden you can work organic humus, which should be done anyway, to loosen the poor soil. Manure, compost, peat moss and soil mulches and conditioners are normally used for this purpose.
You might ask, what do you do in an established garden?
A lot of work and time to recondition soil would be required. Gypsum may be just the answer for reconditioning the soil, because it can be spread on the surface of the soil like in the vegetable garden, flowerbeds or on the lawn. What this means is it does not have to be worked into the soil, it can just simply be spread on the surface.
What does Gypsum do?
It's main purpose is to penetrate the many clay particles in heavy or the layer of hard subsoil type soils and loosen the soil structure. Then this creates air and moisture slots that will loosen and break-up the soil structure.
Be aware that gypsum does not contain any major plant nutrients, so continue a regular fertilizing program even though it contains calcium and sulfur which is needed for plant growth. In addition, continue to put out organic humus as you plant.
Gypsum is easy to apply!
Just spread it on the lawn, using the granular type, with a lawn spreader at the rate of 40 pounds per thousand square feet. Gypsum fertilizer can be spread any time of the year and only one application per year is needed. To get it started working, water immediately after applying. If applied properly it does not affect the pH of the soil, not harmful to humans and your animals and will not burn. And because Gypsum is neutral and will not change the soil pH, you can use it in places where plants like Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons and other acid loving plants grow, they need a little calcium too. Of course, gypsum should be applied per directions.
What is gypsum?
Hydrous calcium sulfate
Calcium Sulfate - CaSO4
Another Name: Gypsite
James is long time organic gardening enthusiast and writes most of articles based on intensive research, lectures from professionals, gardening books and just plain common sense. Feel free to get more information about gardening by visiting: http://www.basic-info-4-organic-fertilizers.com
This Article has been viewed 21,837 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsYes, but it didn't tell me where I can buy gypsum. I have contacted local stores and nurserys but no one sells it.I got a 40# bag at Home Depot. 9/12/11. Lowe's may also carry it.
Thank you for your post it was very hard to find info on fixing clay with gypsum, though. I asked a direct question several times into the google search engine re: clay soil amendments: I was shocked that I found no information on gypsum or gypsite. Everything told me to till-in builder's sand or lots and lots of compost. Luckily I had a geologist friend who had told me about gypsum - and a little bit goes a long away. Thanks
You answered questions I hadn't even thought of! Article is easy to read and well written. Very helpful, thank you!
The article was very enlightening and helpful. My only problem now is where can you buy it? I tried Ace Harware, Lowes, Home Depot and a few other local places, nobody
is aware of where to get it. Even the local extension service is not sure where to buy it.i put it down in my back yard because I have 2 big dogs and wanted to counter act the urin. I found it at B.W.I. in 40 pound bags but they don't carry it anymore. That was a year or so ago. I'm going to try again. My back yard is nice and green. My front is another story. I wanted to give gypsum a shot because I'm having a problem with compaction and after fertilizing 30 days ago I'm still waiting for it to green up. I haven't fertilized the back at all. Gypsum is the only difference. BWI is on SR441 in Apopka
A really helpful article that answered my basic questions.
This article was helpful and in California, 50 lbs bags of Gypsum can be found at Orchard Supply Hardware for about $13.
Thankyou for passing knowldge to others.
yes very helpful. thanksdev north carolina
Very helpful.I will try it in my yard.
Very helpful thanks - and gypsum is so cheap to purchase. Kate
More comments
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.