Compacted clay lawns benefit from annual aeration.1 Core aeration cuts into clay and removes a small core of thatch and soil that gradually disintegrates on the surface. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Do you enjoy the uplifting show of spring bulbs every year? ", that would have been. It won't affect the pH level, but can improve the soil texture. Gypsum also improves sodic (saline) soils by removing sodium from the soil and replacing it with calcium. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. If you don't have an extension office in your area, call some garden clubs, garden centers or home improvement stores and inquire about where you can obtain a soil test. A lawn spreader will be more effective for ... You can apply gypsum at any time of the year. How do I amend clay soil if I don't have money? For example, choosing plants that like very dry or excessively acidic soil can be an uphill battle. Pennington with design is a registered trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc. Fast Acting is a trademark of Encap, LLC. The gypsum enables the small and dense clay particles to join together to form bigger particles, more closely resembling loose sand. All content copyright © 2019 Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is a Good Source of Sulfur and Calcium. Add calcium. Some, but not all, clay soils respond to extra calcium, which causes the soil particles to flocculate (clump together). Several commercial products are now on the market for amending sodic and saline-sodic soils. Clay particles are flat, like plates, instead of rounded like grains of sand. This article has been viewed 251,925 times. With flamboyant, whorled flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis) lights up the summer garden like few other flowering shrubs do. Another occasion when gypsum is often introduced in a … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 251,925 times. The effects are short lived but serve to soften the soil enough for plowing and sowing. To learn how to make your soil more acidic, keep reading! Core aerification is the best way to improve growing conditions for lawns established on clay soils. A college or university in your area may have an agricultural office that can help you as well. I will now use gypsum. Another way is to improve clay soil texture is to add gypsum. Backfill with the soil you dug out of the hole instead, and fertilize a wider area later on to encourage the plant's roots to spread out. The gypsum releases soluble calcium which takes the place of some of the sodium stuck to the clay particles and this loosens the soil by breaking apart the particles. Avoid adding sand or peat moss to clay; they can make those problems worse.1. The downside to just aerating the soil instead of tilling it is that dense lumps of clay may still exist after soil loosening. Our clay in Tennessee was hard, thick, and rocky. During the winter months, as outdoor gardens and flower beds sit dormant, many gardeners truly miss tending to and nurturing their plants. Will grass cuttings help improve clay soil quality? Clay becomes compacted for many reasons. Your soil test or extension agent can help you determine the right amount of organic matter for your soil. However, you can amend or alter the soil to produce a richer soil more suitable for planting. Gypsum works on the clay, breaking it up into small crumbly pieces making it easier to work with and also improves drainage. A hand spreader will be more effective for applying gypsum to an established flower or garden area. Doing this will cause the roots to stay in a small area. You can do so with shredded newspaper. After a year of piling mulch and organic matter on top of it, it loosened up and was much better for planting. With these insights and a little effort, you can fix your heavy clay soil and reap its rewards: Clay's potential as one of the best soil types for plant growth lies in its unique properties. How to Apply Gypsum to Clay Soil. Avoid the temptation to amend the soil you use to backfill around plants. Spread the gypsum evenly over the surface to be covered. The core aerifier should remove soil cores that are approximately three-fourths of an inch in diameter and 3 inches long. Tillage and aeration are the two surest ways to reduce compaction in the soil. Sodic soils are found mainly in arid regions of the western United States. The scale goes from 0 to 14, with 0 being very acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being very basic. Approved. Gypsum works on the clay, breaking it up into small crumbly pieces making it easier to work with and also improves drainage. Healthy, well-maintained clay soil translates to less work for you and less stress on your lawn and garden. Soft water is achieved by removing calcium and magnesium from the water. Instead, NCSU … Your results will provide a detailed analysis of your soil composition, the pH, and which amendments you may need to add to bring your soil up to optimum growing conditions. What can we do? How to Add Gypsum to Soil. Flocculation, or aggregation, is needed to give favorable soil structure for … It's an ideal amendment for improving soil structure and relieving compaction in existing lawns and gardens. Myth #2: Another recommendation to break up clay and reduce soil compaction is to add gypsum. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. 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