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amending soil with gypsum : good or bad?

19 years ago

GYPSUM IS DERIVED FROM MINED CALCIUM.

SOMETIME AGO I SEEM TO REMEMBER THAT I READ THAT GYPSUM SHOULD BE USED TO CREATE A FAST DRAINING SOIL. ESPECIALLY

IN CLAY SOILS. I'VE USED IT FOR THIS PURPOSE FOR APPROX.8 YEARS. WHEN I PURCHASED IT ORIGINALLY, GYPSUM WAS SOLD IN 40 POUND BAGS AND IT WAS A POWDERY SUBSTANCE. I'VE NOTICED THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES I PURCHASED IT IN PELLETIZED FORM AS OPPOSED TO THE POWDEWRY FORM.WHICH IS KINDA GRAYISH IN COLOR. I AM JUST TRYING TO VALADATE WHAT I'VE DONE IN THE PAST BEFORE I MAKE THIS SUGGESTION TO SOMEONE ELSE.

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Comment (1)

Woody_Canada
19 years ago
Gypsum - the calcium in it - can help some clay soils drain by binding the fine clay particles into bigger lumps. But, if your soil is already high calcium clay, it won't help much, if at all. So, before you spend the money and effort to add the gypsum, ir helps to know whether your soil is already high in calcium by having a soil test done....
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