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ipswich, ma usa

I would like to raise my calcium levels this year as a little experiment but dont want to mess with any other levels I.E PH. Will adding pellitized gypsum do any harm? Ive been told about 10 pounds per thousand square feet would be good.

Thanks

John (5150)

3/15/2004 10:29:04 AM

Indiana

Im adding about 50 lbs to 1000 square feet.
Steve

3/15/2004 10:35:43 AM

Montoursville, PA

I use a bag....50 - 60 lbs Spring and Fall to capture salts and poisons as well as help build the tilth of my soil. It works very well helping with any clay problems you may have.
...Gypsum generally is a good additive. It will not adversely affect PH. Again we should refer to our soil tests to seek advise on anything going into our patches.

3/15/2004 11:04:53 AM

Puyallup, WA

I've added as much as 75# per 1000 sq.ft. It didn't budge the calcium level one iota!! I measured in the spring before adding the gypsum and then again the end of October.
In fact, I have added 1000# of gypsum to my 10,000 sq.ft. in the past two years and the calcium level remains below 1600!!

3/15/2004 10:26:53 PM

Montoursville, PA

Fertrell lists gypsum (calcium sulfate)as an outstanding soill supplement for soil lacking calcuum, but the PH is adequate or high. Gypsum will loosen the soil, encourage soil life, and add the needed calcium. Calcium also acts as a weed deterrent as most weeds prefer acid soils. The sulfur when combined with water forms a weak sulfuric acid which will releae calcium that is tied up in the soil solution. This is a quick reaction product. Analysis: 0-0-0 23 Ca - 17 S.

Testing in thiry days would show more calcum but it becomes available and used. Therefore it may appear that no calcium was added by fall soil test time.

3/15/2004 11:03:19 PM

Indiana

Stan
Do you suppose your pumpkins are eating all of the calcium??
Steve

3/16/2004 10:57:27 AM

Montoursville, PA

When anything becomes or goes into solution with water it is used, held by humus or leached out by moving water. The only testing possible is in the held elements. If anything was put in and does not show in the test later it leached out or was used by the plants.

3/16/2004 11:27:28 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey John, Sorry I missed ya in caht the other day but when I added gypsum and Lime to my patch and tested the soil way to early my calcium was way out of whack in my clay soil but calmed down completerly by seasons end. This stuff takes a while to settle into the soil and reach it's true level....especially in clay. Chuck

3/16/2004 6:32:05 PM

Sheridan . NY

agro- k has vigor cal--- --its mined calcium carbonate mix with water--spray on soil --till it in--/

3/17/2004 8:43:10 PM