This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Re[2]: Soil Amendments for clay soil

> Living in So. Cal., we have alkaline soil. Not clay, mostly sand.

Wow!  You have sandy soil?  That's amazing.  I've never heard of
anyone around here having sandy soil.  I have definitely got clay.
The red kind that feels slippery when wet, doesn't drain well, and
bakes to a rock hard surface in the summer.

> I've been told to add gypsum to the soil, not because it's clay
> or sand, but because it is calcium sulfate and it reduces the
> pH of the soil to a more acid level, which most veggies prefer.

Yes it is calcium, but I have been told by the soil scientist
to add sulphur to the soil to reduce ph.  He specifically said that
gypsum wouldn't do anything for my soil since I don't have salty
soil.  Just curious, who told you your info?

A suggestion that I got from the very technical people on the compost
forum suggested that I try pumice.  It's sold at Orange County Farm
Supply.  It doesn't break down like vermiculite, but it drastically
improves soil structure.

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

zone 9, Sunset zone 22/23
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index