"Carl 1 Lucky Texan" wrote in message
om...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Carl 1 Lucky Texan" wrote in message
. com...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Plant Info" wrote in message
...
Here is my area where we have heavy clay, the soil tends to be very
alkaline, so adding gypsum only makes the soil more alkaline -- not a
good thing.
That's like saying "This stuff will stop you from bleeding to death, but
it may also cause the wound to heal with a bit more of a scar". Some
people have clay soil that is so totally out of hand that altering its
pH for a season or two is something worth dealing with, if the gypsum
otherwise does its job.
I have much less experience than most folks here, but this seems like
good advice. I see no reason why the 'percolation'/whatever aspect can't
be addressed at the same time some pine needle mulch/compost or other
soil pH amelioration is done. (Ironite, sulfur, epsom salts,etc.)
Carl
A few weeks back, someone explained that gypsum works via a chemical
process, not a mechanical one, so it might NOT be a good idea to address
the pH situation while it's working. I don't know - I'm just saying it's
worth looking into, which might be as simple as calling the company whose
name is on the bag of gypsum.
Hmmm..I can see where you could be working at cross purposes if that's the
case. I read recommendations to work organic matter into the clay about as
often as I read the gypsum suggestion. I dunno, I have(in one large area
under a cypress) a coupla inches of soil over a clay/sand type mixture
that does not drain very well - I just chose plants that don't mind having
their feet wet and figure after 2-3 years of working compost/'stuff' into
the soil I might be able to broaden what I plant there. sigh I'm just a
newbie gardening hack! lol!
Carl
This link is helpful. If you don't mind a few seasons of nasty, hard labor,
you can drastically improve your soil to the point where it's extremely easy
to garden in. Then, when you move to a new place, you be miserable again for
3-4 years when you have to start all over. Or, you can do what I did - make
realtors look at you funny when, as part of your house hunting process, you
go poking around yards with a pitch fork. :-)
http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/covercrop.html