Thread: Hard Soil
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Old 16-04-2004, 06:02 PM
RoyDMercer
 
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Default Hard Soil

I have no doubt you can find several respected sources that will recommend
gypsum for loosening clay soil. I've also seen it mentioned in many
horticultural publications. For a number of years, I believed it myself.
However the truth is it just doesn't work very well if at all. I say this
based on personal experience and also from well respected sources. Here's
what Paul James has to say on the subject:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_bulbs_se...372161,00.html


"William W. Plummer" wrote in message
news:YJQfc.155370$JO3.93426@attbi_s04...
Paul Parent, a respected (and degreed) horticulturist recommends gypsum.
See http://www.paulparent.com and search for "gypsum". Here's one quote
from his page.
Clean your gardens of branches, leaves, and dead foliage you forgot to
remove in the fall from your plants. It's also a good time to apply
limestone if your soils tend to be on the acid side and moss is a problem.
If your soil is heavy and water seems to sit there, apply some
garden gypsum to soften the soil and improve drainage.



"RoyDMercer" wrote in message
...
Actually it's a myth that gypsum will break down clay soils. Gypsum is
useful for some things like reducing the salt content in soil, but is

almost
never needed for residential use.

The most effective way to improve clay soil is by adding organic

material.

"William W. Plummer" wrote in

message
news:EPjfc.38014$wP1.144408@attbi_s54...
That's exactly what gypsum is for. It binds to the clay and allows

water
to
get in to the soil.

"Tyshun Hampton" wrote in message
...
I have hard soil im my garden. When it gets wet its sticky and very

hard
to
manage. Should I remove most of the soil I have now and replace it

with
some
store brought topsoil? or can I add anything to my soil to correct

this?