Has anyone used Garden Gypsum in the soil of their clay gardens?

Question

Just wondering if it is all its made out to be.

Answer 1

I add both organic material and gypsum to the heavy clay soil in my garden. The combination of the two has seriously changed the composition of my garden soil and greatly improved my yields and quality of my produce. Another method that I've used in my garden is the use of a cover crop during the winter months. I live in Zone 6 and use "Cereal Rye" (Winter Rye) for mine. I plant it in the fall and let it winter over (It is very similar to Winter Wheat and will grow slowly when temperatures are above 36 degrees). When it is time to start my garden at the beginning of May, it is tall enough (18"+) to till in and it adds lots of organic material to the soil (green manure). The roots penetrate up to 36" deep. It helps break up the soil structure and provides better drainage too. I add some gypsum, organic compost, and this "green manure" and my soil is starting to really work great after just 2 years.

See this web site for more information about the benefits of adding gypsum. They recommend using both gypsum and compost together as it works better that way. http://www.hmhgypsum.com/why.htm

Here is some information about cover crops. http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/prints/covercrop.html

Answer 2

Manageing Sodic Soils

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00504.html

http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:ric62adJJ6kJ:www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00504.pdf+Gypsum+Sodic+soil&hl=en&start=11

Answer 3

Yes I have and it's marvellous. You only need to do it up to 3 years in a row at the prescribed rate and that's it. Doesn't change the PH of the soil. You should be using lots of organic matter in any garden also.

Answer 4

Gypsum works, but it's not the miracle that it makes itself out to be. Use it in tandem with organics like compost, pine bark or peat to help break up clay. Gypsum is only effective for a short time.. organic material lasts much longer.

Answer 5

It is very good but also VERY expensive. Sand works well too.