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Gypsum
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Posted by laccanvas Knoxville, TN (My Page) on Fri, Feb 5, 10 at 13:54
| Does Gypsum really work on clay soil?
Has anyone tried it and saw real result/difference? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Gypsum
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| Yes, it works. But only on SODIC clay. And 95% of the sodic clay is in the Southwest. The Gypsum companies conveniently forget to make that distinction. |
RE: Gypsum
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| I'm in Knoxville, TN...we don't have sand in our soil. |
RE: Gypsum
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| As I recall the soil in Knoxville is used for bricks. Am I remembering that right? What Andy is saying is that gypsum will not work in your area. It only works in the southwest clay soils where the soil is very alkaline. Your soil is more acidic. What are you trying to do? Loosen the soil? What kind of grass do you have and how is it doing? You might be able to do some things with an aerator (optional), water hose, and soaker hose. |
RE: Gypsum
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| Yes, Gypsum has the ability to penetrate the millions of fine clay particles in heavy or hardpan type soils and loosen the soil structure. This process then creates air and moisture spaces that eventually loosen and break-up the soil structure. The only problem is that this doesn't happen overnight, it takes yearly applications, over about a three-year period to get the job done. |
RE: Gypsum
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- Posted by jimtnc 7b Raleigh tttf (My Page) on
Wed, Feb 10, 10 at 9:21
| You could also try adding builders sand, the most course sand you can find...the courser the better. Don't even think about adding fine play sand. Apply only when grass is growing and only apply up to a 1/4" at a time. |
RE: Gypsum
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Any sand you might think to add must be the coarse type, referred to as 'builder's sand'. Definitely don't use play or sandbox sand, its too compact and will not drain properly.
Beach sand should also not be used. Generally where you have problem of clay soil the thing to do is to improve drainage. Adding as much organic material into the soil will help solve your problem. The only thing is, you have to get the organic material into the ground and mixed well. If you plan on a long-term deal, add compost or triple mix over the surface to a depth of no more than 1" and do it over a span of years.
ONe inch in spring, another inch in the fall, and do that every year for at least 4 years. |
RE: Gypsum
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- Posted by daleok z6/7oklahoma (My Page) on
Mon, Feb 15, 10 at 22:45
| I live in Oklahoma where clay soil abounds. 15 years ago, I placed 40 lbs of gypsum on a front porch area, which is about 12x10. Nothing changed during the subsequent 3 years and so I began to amend the soil with all sorts of organic material. Now it is almost regular garden soil, almost, but still lots of clay. |
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