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minnesota

I am using pelletized gypsum as a way to increase my calcium (could not find calcium nitrate) how often should I reapply the gypsum , I believe calcium leaches from the soil fairly quickly (my soil is about 30% sand). the package says it has 16% sulfur in the gypsum what does sulfur do for a pumpkin plant.

6/7/2002 7:56:09 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey small patch, The gypsum adds plenty of calcium. I added gypsum this year to get my clay to break up more and my soil test results were off the wall with calcium. My Ph was a little low and the Phd at penn state said to leave it alone until my calcium levels dropped. if they get out of balance the calcium could block out other vital nutrients. So balance is important too! Sulphur in gypsum I'm not sure sounds like a fungicide? Need a big guy To kick in here for some help on that!

6/8/2002 6:27:47 AM

Arkansas

Did the gypsum successfully break up your clay? I have nothing but clay and don't really want to spend 10 years of tilling in the groundcover to get it into shape.

6/12/2002 10:05:31 PM

Puyallup, WA

Preacher,
Yes, gypsum does help break up the clay particles. I have(had) very heavy clay soil. When it would dry in the summer, it would turn into cement!! I have added at least 1500 pounds of gypsum to my 9000 sq.ft.....and it is still a long ways from ideal tilth. I have added many many yards of additional "soils", manures, compost ect. to my patch as well.
Pumpkin roots need air....period! Clay soil will not let them breath. If you are serious about growing pumpkins over
500 pounds, then a major overhaul of your soil is in order.
I am speaking from hard earned experience! I went from under 200# to 875# in one year!

6/12/2002 11:05:53 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Preacher,
I had solid clay like stan, Real Hardpan, add all the leaves and Manure you can, Your still gonna kick clay into that so the gypsom keeps that soil relatively clay free. or at least the lumping clods break up pretty good when tilled.

6/13/2002 4:48:14 AM