Gypsum for clay? Wonderful growing conditions, crappy soil. 50% of my yard is DG, the rest thick clay.?

Question

My gardener suggested applying gypsum to the soil. He said it will help break down some of the clay. He said we can mix it into the garden soil with added organic materials and since we can't turn over the lawn, he said he can spread the gypsum on top and let the sprinklers water it into the soil. does this make sense to anyone?

Answer 1

MASTER GARDENER TO THE RESCUE.

Reminds me of my first California garden. DG & clay. I often wonder how anything ever grew in southern calif. soil I'll never know.? Does it make sense? It makes good sense. You have a smart gardener. Don't loose him.

The powdered gypsum will work wonders when mixed in your garden soil. The lawn area is another story. To put down enough of the powdered form, which is much like working with cooking flower, would not work it's way down inti the soil to be worth the effort. Unless put down so deep as to cover the grass entirely. Spreading the power form is impossible to lay evenly. Have your gardener pick up the slow release, pelleted gypsum. Spreads evenly with any garden spreader. Add some to the power form when turning the garden soil as well.
The pelleted is a time release which slowly desolves & follows the water deep into the soil.
I would suggest applying the pelleted type down on your lawn monthly until the weather coolin around Thanksgiving. Then cut back to every other week utill spring. Then cut back to 3 times per year. You should begin to notice a change in soil condition after about 6 months. Changes in your garden beds will be noticable all most at once. Gypsum is cheep & you almost couldn't over do it.

Answer 2

Been gardening in heavy clay soil for 40 years. Gardeners Gypsum is a wonder drug! Go for it. You have a good, experienced gardner who gives good advice.

Answer 3

Yeah, some people do suggest this method. See
http://www.humeseeds.com/gypsum.htm

I personally haven't tried that, I use lots of sharp sand mixed with organic material, but that would mean digging....