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Re: Soil Amendments for clay soil

> Soil conditioner for clay is gypsum.  You can get it at any garden center for
> about $5.00 or less for a 40 lb bag.  I mix it 50/50 pelletized gypsum to
> pelletized lime and spread it over my sqft garden in the late fall when I put
> the garden to bed for the winter.  I also add it to my lawn twice a year.  I
> have clay soil too.

A soil scientist told me last year when I had my soil tested
(alkaline clay) that it is a common misconception that to help clay
soil you add gypsum.  Gypsum is only beneficial in certain cases.
It isn't in mine.  I believe it has something do do with excess
sodium in the soil that the gypsum (calcium I believe) locks up.
Maybe someone else can elaborate on this.

Organic matter is the only thing that will loosen up clay soil -
compost, perlite etc.  Don't use vermiculite except for in temporary
pots or for rooting cuttings because it decays and squishes down
getting mushy.  Perlite is much better.


Kim Kiernan
kimk@pacbell.net
Laguna Hills, So. California

zone 9, Sunset zone 22/23
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