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Location

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Date Posted

Western PA

My test says that I will need to add gypsum. I am wanting to know when to add it in ?
Now or next spring?
I am not sure how long this stuff takes to get into the soil.

9/19/2018 11:39:25 AM

Nampa

fall post season is better than early next year preseaon. It does take some time for it to change your pH. After you get it dialed in where you want it, you can can smaller maintenance amount yearly.

9/19/2018 4:43:31 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I think gypsum (calcium sulfate) does not change ph. It is ph neutral. I added gypsum this spring..was very calcium deficient but didn't want to move my ph away from the 6.5 it was at. I had no problems with blossom end rot on the tomatoes so spring might is ok, fall might be better. Lime (calcium carbonate)raises the ph and it does take some time to work. Sulfur by itself will lower the ph.. and it also takes time to work.

9/19/2018 5:12:08 PM

Partlow,Va

I would put half at least now. Make sure it gets rained on or watered in before tilling. You coming to Altoona?

9/19/2018 9:11:53 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

When Ron Wallace gave me amendment advice he told me to add it in the fall because it takes take to break down. Good luck with your new place.

9/19/2018 9:49:45 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks for pointing that out bnot, gypsum will not affect your PH.

HankH, I do exactly what you are suggesting when adding gypsum, we like to add 1/2 in the fall just before we seed our cover crop, and the other 1/2 in the spring just before we till under that cover crop.

9/19/2018 11:21:12 PM

Western PA

Thanks

9/20/2018 8:25:32 AM

Nampa

bnot-thanks for the catch on the pH.

9/21/2018 1:13:44 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Ole Tom P had me spraying it each Fall and Spring back when he used to do soil tests for everyone on here and my soil was clay.

http://shop.soillogic.com/liquid-gypsum-32-ounce-rts-1-gallon-refill-combo/

9/21/2018 2:04:00 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I know that growers that use gypsum to loosen clay. That was not why I applied it. I grow on sand. Not trying to hijack this thread but wondering about how high of sulfur levels I can get to. This spring I added, Calcium Sulfate (gypsum), Potassium sulfate, Manganese Sulfate etc. It seems that every nutrient I add when I research it..that my preferred form is a sulfate. What kind of difficulties in the future am I going to have?

9/21/2018 9:40:41 PM

Western PA

Luke, that stuff looks interesting. I read a little on it. Did it actually help your clay soil drain better ??
I am at a new residence and I tilled a new area up. My soil is mostly clay, so with a 7-8 inch till depth I basically now have a soupy mess with the 2 tropical storms that went over me the past 2 weeks. My patch is holding water like a pond. I need to get the gypsum in and also about 4 inches of horse manure. It is not looking like I am going to be able to get this stuff in unless we get dry for atleast 2 weeks.

9/21/2018 11:04:56 PM

Western PA

Luke, that stuff looks interesting. I read a little on it. Did it actually help your clay soil drain better ??
I am at a new residence and I tilled a new area up. My soil is mostly clay, so with a 7-8 inch till depth I basically now have a soupy mess with the 2 tropical storms that went over me the past 2 weeks. My patch is holding water like a pond. I need to get the gypsum in and also about 4 inches of horse manure. It is not looking like I am going to be able to get this stuff in unless we get dry for atleast 2 weeks.

9/21/2018 11:07:41 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Good ol Florence,right Zappa ?
She spared me here in Va,but I grew up near Wilmington,N.C.and they got 30+ inches from that crap.

9/22/2018 7:21:46 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Zappa, I had to check back on my emails from Tom P and the main reason the liquid was used is because it works faster in the soil vs granular. It was also easier to spread. It did work well on my clay, but I’ve also added lots of other goodies over the years so hard to pinpoint one thing.

9/22/2018 11:26:51 AM

My big farm center told me that gypsum unlocks nutrients. Also reduces salt content. Here is a couple of links that explain how it works.

https://www.earthcosoils.com/blog/common-myths-about-soil-and-compost
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/gypsum.pdf

9/22/2018 11:30:14 AM

Deer Park, WI

bnot- sulfur is rapidly mobile in the soil profile, just like nitrogen. Using the sulfated forms of various nutrients is not likely to lead to a sulfur toxicity issue as it washes out very rapidly.

9/22/2018 7:28:09 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I use multiple sources of cal.... look into it all

9/23/2018 2:17:31 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

Thanks Joe, a few years ago I thought I remembered Cecil telling me not to worry much about my sulfur levels. It is good to get confirmation from a second expert.

9/23/2018 6:48:15 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

Gary...i hope to have the chance someday to pick your brain. I know I have at times used calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate....calcium is really important to tomato growers.

9/23/2018 1:42:24 PM