From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Iowa

When is the best time to apply gypsum? Would it still be ok to apply it in the early spring?

1/16/2003 6:10:55 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

spring is fine

1/16/2003 8:05:17 PM

[email protected]

Any time the ground isn't frozen. Or during the growing season, avoid periods of drought.
Steve

1/16/2003 8:12:25 PM

Caceres, Spain

Hi Steve, what about the amounts, pounds per 1000 sq ft? I know it depends on the soil, but in which range?
Don

1/17/2003 2:10:04 AM

Ontario

I apply 100 pounds of gypsium in the fall, then another 100 pounds in the spring for 1000 sq ft area.

drew

1/17/2003 7:35:33 AM

Webster, NY

What does gypsum do???

1/17/2003 9:16:19 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

It helps with breaking up clay soil I applied it late last year and tilled it in pretty sure it caused my calcium imbalance so much that the lab said not to correct the PH until the calcium subsided a bit...have the same problem with the new patch just gonna do leaves until they overflow and roll down the hill! LOL

1/17/2003 10:43:54 AM

[email protected]

Carlos,
It will depend entirely on soil test results. But I've seen rate needs of 100-200 lbs/M. Sicne my soils are well amended, I don't have the need to break up clay. So I'll get my added calcium from a floable form calcium nitrate. Nice & soluble, so very efficient.

Gypsum is also used here on the coast to help soils leach salts after storm related coastal flooding. I even sell some as a pre-treatment for road sides before winter to help with Rock Salt chlorides. The idea is to prevent killing the grass when the salt flies during storms. But this is a very time sensitive treatment & I doubt that many actually realize a benefit from it.

Steve

1/17/2003 11:26:33 AM

Long Island,New York

Tremor...(a great movie by the way)...whats the deal with Calcium Nitrate these days? Here in NY its illegal?????....G

1/17/2003 4:01:56 PM

[email protected]

No, not illegal. It's just going to be regulated. Calcium Nitrate is a mild oxydizer as far as these things go. But remember back in '93. WTC was attacked by freaks with ammonium nitrate/diesel bombs. Well Potassium, ammonium, & (for some reason) calcium nitrates are all falling under the same regulations. I communicated with Bart last week about this. Maybe he was speaking to you? I will check a friend of mine that owns an Agway. He was able to get me some ammonium nitrate last fall. If he can get the calcium, I'll post it here.

We continue to recieve FBI & Homeland Security updates with respect to oxidizers & large purchases of restricted use pesticides. We've had to report a few "unorthodox" requests from questionable characters since 9-11.

The stories I could post about reporters & other related tails are mind boggling.

Not to worry though. Chelated Calcium liquids & Flowable forms of Calcium Nitrate are far superior in performance due to better solubility & still contain available N. And they are easier to use for blanket wraps too. We can't make bombs with them, but we can sure grow some big old honkin' pumpkins according to the reports I've been uncovering.

Steve

1/17/2003 7:40:09 PM