What Is Gypsum Used For (Miracle Soil Amendment or Garden Myth??)

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

I am so glad you mentioned "life". Nothing more important than knowing you grow soil, not plants. The soil food web, when healthy and alive, will do all the heavy lifting.

[@JohnandBobs]

Couldn't agree more. We need more people to get on board! 🌱 - J&B's

[@HappyTraditionalWife]

Coming from a clay area and my grandparents and great grandparents were farmers..I will trust their opinions on gypsum

[@SenjiaMurtic]

Chip is just the cutest like baby in the universe! 😍

[@JohnandBobs]

Cutest (and maybe smallest?) soil enthusiast we’ve yet to see! 🐶 😉

[@wmstone3914]

I live close to the Chesapeake Bay and we flood fairly often w brackish water (half salt & half fresh water). I would think I have high salt

[@JohnandBobs]

You can find out precisely with a professional soil test, which is usually about $275.

[@fiddleguy28]

In Wisconsin we have real problems with road salt being thrown on to our lawns when the plow comes through. In our area most people have dogs that they take for walks and let pee on our lawns. I have found that the application of Gypsum near the road has had a huge positive impact. I tried using Anderson Black Gypsum and found that I can now grow grass where I could not before.

[@JohnandBobs]

That makes sense. There are situations where gypsum is the perfect solution. Thanks for the comment, John&Bob's

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

Very good and proper example of use. It flocculates sodium/salt, which helps to drain and aerate the soil where salt is applied like that. I did not consider the dog pee thing. That is nitrogen, and I wonder why this works. Perhaps the nitrogen fixation bacteria get to work better when the soil is flocculated? mmm. Thanks for sharing.

[@yakcps]

😅

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

I will have to try that. The lawn near by the street struggles the most every summer.

[@Holobiont420]

That's a problem city trees have to deal with quite a lot. A recommendation I'd make is to fertilize potassium and to possibly flush out any salt build up by watering extensively

[@GritsnGravy61]

Gypsum is good for flushing out salts and bicarbonates. Can help release nutrients that are tied up in the soil. Gypsum flush on golf greens is pretty common practice but do a soil test first

[@JohnandBobs]

That is true. Gypsum can help flush out salts and built up minerals. Thanks for the comment :)

[@Industrious420]

@@JohnandBobs great for the cannabis community ;)

[@JohnandBobs]

@@Industrious420 Our products are excellent for growing cannabis! Definitely don't want to use chemical products around something you will be putting in your body. We might market more for that community in the future....keep an eye out 😉🍁

[@kfairy8138]

The Blend has revived/saved our 80 feet high redwood and cedar trees and our older lemon tree.

[@JohnandBobs]

That is awesome! 🙌 Happy to hear our products helped rescue your trees. Thanks for commenting :)

[@mikew9829]

John and Bob and Chip are the real deal! Everything they've suggested that I've used has been spot on. Most dramatically, a maple tree suffering from white bugs (aphids or whitefly?) for the last 5 years has been completely cured using worm castings and Blend. Thank You!

[@JohnandBobs]

Thanks for the support! Happy to hear we were able to help you revive your maple tree after years of infestation. You're welcome and thanks for commenting :)

[@KrazyKajun602]

any help on how to prevent blossom end rot for tomatoes and peppers? I had soil tested and shows very high calcium, low sodium, plus I added calcium when fertilizing and still got blossom end rot.

[@JohnandBobs]

Yours is an interesting but not that uncommon situation. Plenty of calcium in the soil, but somehow locked up and unable to get to the tomato as needed. An excellent "unlocker" is soil life - beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, good nematodes. I like to be generous with our Blend (2-3 cups for each plant one time) when confronted w/ your situation and regular use of our Penetrate Liquid Biotiller (over the top of Blend and then once per week for 5 weeks). The other key is to be very diligent about a regular water schedule that never causes the soil to be waterlogged and yet provides regular, consistent moisture. Keep me updated on your progress!

[@HuntMountain06]

Thanks for the video!

[@lauraorozco6307]

Can you do a video about over watering a tree and how to combat once it happens?

[@RC-ed3sc]

Is Gypsum beneficial in Caliche soils? Calcium Sulfate added to Calcium Carbonate doesn't seem kosher chemically. Many people in the Tucson, AZ area use Gypsum, but I'm skeptical.

[@JohnandBobs]

Hi there, No, gypsum is not good for caliche soil. Gypsum is helpful for very specific type of soil (not caliche) as described in our video. We also have another video on our channel about improving caliche - check it out. -J&B's

[@dl8619]

Gypsum can make or break a good tomato harvest. Zone 8b Georgia.

[@JohnandBobs]

Gypsum can really make a difference!

[@markkindell6365]

If you plant users alot of calcium its great ,

[@Yotaciv]

Calcium moves down in soils. No need to till it in.

[@JohnandBobs]

What other garden myths are curious to learn more about? Let us know in the comments!

[@DirtygardenCA]

humic acid, and or sea kelp?

[@Shyeena]

I was told to add calcium to my problematic squash plants. I have a small back yard garden and have combined 8 yellow squash + zucchini plants. All are beautiful - no fungus or any noticeable problems with the plant but... I get anywhere from 6-10 teeny tiny and super skinny 1 - 3 inch squash with blossoms that remain tightly closed then shrivel and die! One person suggested I try staking to allow better airflow and plenty of sun. I did - all thats happened in an increase of male blossoms but zero viable fruiting. I've been told to add gypsum for calcium. What say you? Also, I'm not a novice - I've been gardening for 40 years. Just so you are aware, my tomatoes are in the same soil mixture and my early girl plant - > is on its 2nd fruiting < - And no exaggeration --> first harvest was 53 amazing tomatoes! On that one plant! I have 6 other varieties and all my tomatoes are very prolific. Same type of soil - a blend of miracle grow professional garden soil and steer manure. I also feed with Miracle Grow professional organic fruit and veggie fertilizer. Any ideas? Im super sad - i want squash!

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

Gypsum is a source of calcium and sulur, both of which are very important nutrients. If you have high drainage soil, you would not see or create benefit, as it works better in clay.

[@careyware4634]

Where do I purchase good quality compost in San Clemente California

[@yakcps]

I have a soil analysis would like to know how to improve

[@chaudharyvlogs9749]

Hi john. H r u . My name is Inam, I am from Pakistan, I am a farmer, my question is that the soil of my land is very hard and there are roads in it, so how much should I use gypsum and if not, what should I use.

[@chaudharyvlogs9749]

Please reply must

[@JohnandBobs]

I recommend you test your soil and if it's high in salt and low in calcium, then use powdered gypsum generously. If your soil is not high in salt and low in calcium, do not use gypsum. Search around in Pakistan and see if you can find a granular humic acid product. That is the least expensive and most impactful way I know to improve your soil dramatically. -John

[@chaudharyvlogs9749]

Yes ican thanks thanks for reply

[@bellsibub9951]

So gypsum doesnt improve drainage in an area of clay soil that regularly gets compacted?

[@JohnandBobs]

If that clay soil is low in calcium and high in salt it will improve drainage. If those irregularities don't exist, it won't improve drainage at all. The best way to improve drainage on any soil is to infuse it with beneficial complex soil life with good quality compost or our products or products like ours. In addition to using our products, Gypsum is very complementary if the clay is low in calcium and high in salt.

[@bellsibub9951]

@@JohnandBobs Looks like i will be shoveling manure then, thanks.

[@JohnandBobs]

Use composted manure!

[@bellsibub9951]

@@JohnandBobs Lets hope so!

[@yakcps]

Procedures for contacting and asking for advice on how to use gypsum and organic fertilizers

[@JohnandBobs]

Send us an email - we will answer quickly.

[@rekikmisgana8597]

How are you Dear,shall I use Gypsum for acidic Soil???and what kind of Gypsum is useful for acidic soil and please tell me the amount

[@JohnandBobs]

Gypsum won't help for acidic soil unless it is also high in sodium and low in calcium. Best for acidic soil conditions is a good quality limestone to raise the pH. One should be available locally in your area or online at Arbico Organics or if neither pans out we can help get some to you. Good questions!

[@Genezaret2226]

Can we use it for potatoes

[@JohnandBobs]

It is certainly good for growing potatoes when soil salts are high and calcium is low!

[@Genezaret2226]

@@JohnandBobs Thank you so much ☺️ God bless you and your family 🥰❤️🙏📖💯

[@CarmenHelenaRoberts]

Where do I find a good quality compost near Salinas CA?

[@JohnandBobs]

We are not aware of a reliable source in Salinas for high quality bulk compost, although I'm reasonably sure one exists. Our "Optimize" and our "Maximize" are concentrated high quality compost products that utilize the most effective ingredients in compost to improve everything about your soil. Both can be affordably shipped to Salinas (free for large orders) and easily applied once there. - John

[@dellcoc]

Gypsum is the final ingredient for making ancient marble. Along with borax, water and glue.

[@JohnandBobs]

Interesting!

[@gomersyndicate9370]

Does mixing sand 50/50 with heavy red clay encourage drainage and root penetration?

[@JohnandBobs]

No, mixing sand with red clay is not a good idea. It's better to infuse the red clay with soil life - check out our video on amending clay soil! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKmsaaiQqat5m7s - John

[@ddh1121]

After soil test came back, the extension service recommended a lot of lime. I had 2 soil test back to back yrs. And according to the extension service I needed more lime this past fall, which I applied. Vegetable gardening has been a nightmare for couple years. Summer veggies had blossom end rot, white powdery mildew and early blight and Septoria leaf spot. In your opinion what would be best to use to help. I also use irrigation system and moisture testing periodically. Live in the northeast part of Alabama. Thanks for any suggestions

[@JohnandBobs]

Can you send me your most recent soil test results? Do you know your soil pH? You can contact me/send photos to [e-mail] - John

[@yusufalbalooshi2723]

Hello, my dear sir. # We have a high level of soil alkalinity in most lands in the Middle East. We hope that you advise us to reduce the alkalinity of the soil through natural treatment so that the rate is 6.5. Thank you very much. May God protect you.

[@WisconsinEric]

I am surprised there was no mention of the sulfur in gypsum. Sulfur is an essential secondary nutrient and gypsum is a way to provide it without lowering soil PH since it is buffered with calcium, another essential secondary nutrient

[@juneshannon8074]

Please help. I am confused about soil tests. My soil is sandy loam over clay. What do I get tested? The sandy loam or the clay?

[@JohnandBobs]

You can sample multiple areas to get a better sense of your soil's composition

[@prafull_pihu]

I have heavy soil with heavy water holding which causes problems. Can gypsum do some good.

[@JohnandBobs]

Not necessarily, but maybe. Our video explains thoroughly that if your soil is high in salt and low in calcium, then gypsum will help your soil. If so, the combination of gypsum and products like ours that infuse your soil with life will powerfully improve your heavy clay. If not, then products like ours alone without the gypsum will improve everything about your soil.

[@im11000]

Thank John for sharing your videos I live in north jersey my backyard lawn is in heavy clay soil what is the best way to emended it Thank you 😊

[@JohnandBobs]

The best way to change heavy clay soil is to infuse it with soil life, food for life and attractants for life while growing plants and managing soil moisture properly. My favorite way which is convenient and value laden is to generously apply our 'Blend' and our Penetrate Liquid Biotiller 2-4 times per year. We have several KZbin videos on our channel that explore the best techniques for changing problem soil.

[@im11000]

@@JohnandBobs thank you for your reply How and where can I purchase your product from in NJ

[@JohnandBobs]

@@im11000 Only from our online store (www.johnandbobs.com). We currently have our Spring Sale (ends 4/20) where you can get 10% off and free shipping + free optimize plus (our new indoor plant fertilizer) if your order is over $80! 💚🌱

[@rizkyadisaputra]

hi,I'm preaty sure that one of my farm field has high clay soil, but I can't make sure that those field also had sodium issues, my concern was will Calcium sulfate could help me to improve the porosity and permeability of that kind of soil, I'm preaty sure that that product will also help to buffing the PH , since in my climate tropical factor the soild tend to drop its PH into acidic especialy during the wet seasons? thanks in advance

[@JohnandBobs]

Thanks for your comment! So, you can do a relatively inexpensive soil test to determine if your clay soil is low in calcium and high in salt. If so, gypsum (it is a form of calcium sulphate) will be very effective, if it isn't you'll be spending time and money without a benefit. -J&B's

[@rizkyadisaputra]

@@JohnandBobs but could you tell me how to do that test, if I got no access to soil measurement tools even PH tester, one thing that also become my concern was to promote easy access for the roots to penetrate inside that soil, could I use the gypsum just to amand that soil as the "clay breaker"

[@rizkyadisaputra]

@@JohnandBobs so MY plan was to do gypsum amandment at preplanting this migh not also displace 1 cation in this case the Na, butt it migh also displace others cation such as the Mg so a few days after the transplabting Im gonna put dolomite or Magnesium sulfate there to help replanish the Mg

[@thariphilip1850]

Sir i am from South central part of India. I have 4 acres of land , in that i have cultivated rice for around 20 years. My land is Black soil with Clay in it. From Rice i am not getting good yield. Now i want to cultivate Banana Plants in my land. Can i use the Gypsum in my land to break the Black Clay soil. I have given the Soil samples for test. Can i use gypsum in my land to produce Banana Plants. Please suggest

[@evemarie1605]

Hi!:- I will try to answer your question based on my knowledge of soil and water chemistry although I live very far away in a much cooler climate. First, do the soil test first and establish the sodium content:- gypsum is used only for purging excess sodium from a sodic clay to help flocculate it and improve tilth. If you do not have excess sodium content then gypsum will actually harm the soil by also purging the potassium which is an important plant nutrient so do not use gypsum otherwise. Second, the best soil amendment would be agricultural lime or dololime:- ie finely crushed limestone and/or dolomite:- this helps flocculate and aggregate the soil to improve tilth plus rice, like all cereals and most vegetables and fruits is calcophilic and benefits from calcium and magnesium. Third, rice has been a successful crop for you so basically stay with it as your main crop but obviously you need to analyze the nutrient content of your soil to improve that economically. You don't say if your plot is wetland or dryland so that makes a difference. Black clay in your region (the Deccan and surrounding lands) actually derives from weathered basalt which is rich in iron but poor in calcium and the iron makes it black:- it sounds as if you have a somewhat exhausted or "tired" lateritic soil which needs to be rejuvenated with more agricultural lime. The lime is also a buffer against progressive acidulation by heavy rains and by acidic fertilizer plus it favors nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Another fertilizer which you might add is phosphate such as superphosphate since basaltic laterites are also poor in phosphorus. It's possible your soil might also lack one or more essential trace nutrients such as boron or molybdenum but you need to test for these first and you don't need to add much to correct deficiencies. Fourth, by all means explore new crops such as bananas to diversify but go slow at first with perhaps a small plot until you have more experience with bananas and can expand production more confidently. Also don't overlook the possibility of rotating with legumes such as pulses and lentils and peas and beans since these actually add nitrogen to the soil and are valuable crops as well. Also, consider rotations with leguminous fodder such as clover which improve the soil and can feed milk cows. Hope this helps!

[@thariphilip1850]

@@evemarie1605 PH is 7.7, EC is 0.10 , Organic Carbon is 0.36 , Nitrogen is 68 , Phosphorus is 6.97 , Potassium is 65.28. Please suggest...

[@dannalambert426]

A healthy range of potassium is 50ppm. EC is on the high side too.

[@Mistah_john]

can using it cause harm?

[@blipblopride9024]

I have 6.7 pH and extremely low sulfur (1.0 ppm). Everything else is fine. Calcium is in the optimal range. Do not know Sodium. Red Clay. Any issue running gypsom to put some sulfur in the soil without changing pH?

[@JohnandBobs]

If you want to raise the sulfur content, you should apply soil sulfur. I like to use Granular Tiger 90 from Arbico Organics. They sell it at an excellent price. -John

[@blipblopride9024]

@@JohnandBobs won’t that affect pH?

[@JohnandBobs]

@@blipblopride9024 At 6.7 you have a little room to play with pH. If you add sulfur while infusing your soil with beneficial micro-biology via high quality compost or our products or equal, the soil life will optimize sulfur and pH simultaneously. Compost and compost like products increase soil sulfur levels. Gypsum by itself can increase sulfur levels, but I have found the results are slow and extremely incremental. - John

[@blipblopride9024]

@@JohnandBobs thanks!

[@sachwagh7829]

Does it reduce PH

[@Garrysullivanjones]

Hi. The gypsum at my garden store is in power form . Is this wrong ? Should real good gypsum be in pellet form?

[@hansdybka1331]

this should be marked as an AD to market products.yap yap yap sell sell sell...=bullshite

[@saintzk123]

What about lime? I'm trying to help my soil that's below my Bermuda grass

[@saplink6411]

Can u use this on redwood trees?

[@JohnandBobs]

Yes, you can! :)

[@Garrysullivanjones]

Is pea straw a decent compost ? That is what I’m using this season , not to thickly applied , maybe a couple centimetres high?

[@dav1979brar]

Could you please let me know if Peat moss usage is good for lawn (both turf and for garden ) ? And its for clay soil of North America. Thank you

[@JohnandBobs]

It has some good attributes, but overall it's not that good for soil - not like a good quality compost. It tends to acidify soil, it breaks down quickly and it doesn't build complex soil life. There are much better ways to improve your soil!

[@silverbackag9790]

@@JohnandBobs I’m using in areas where I’m planting a bunch of azaleas, evergreens, and other acid loving plants (Korean rock ferns, etc), so it has its uses.

[@jimfearon6021]

Can I use Gypsum for spots in my yard that won’t grow grass? We believe to be caused by two male dogs constantly using the same area to go to the bathroom.

[@bluejay3945]

Are you suggesting that spraying liquid in compacted soil is going to fix the compaction? I have several turf areas compacted by construction activities. Covering with mulch isn’t an option. The slight slope causes compost to slide off in the rain. Spraying anything is these areas barely wets the surface with the majority of the spray beading up on the compacted clay. I’ve been trying to avoid mechanical aeration but that’s probably the only solution. The bottom line IMO is that if your soul is highly compacted it’s a waste of time and money to spray anything and think you are flocculating soil

[@JohnandBobs]

The way to change/improve your compacted soil is to infuse it with micro-biology. The way we do that the fastest is with twice per year or more applications of our Penetrate Liquid Biotiller combined with our 3 dry granular products(Optimize, Nourish Biosol, Maximize). It's powerful (but gradual) and it works! Thanks, J&B's

[@repure1999]

How much do you need for alot of horse thistle

[@dh4n1elee96]

This information is what i looking for😍

[@JohnandBobs]

So glad to be of use! Thanks for the comment. ☺- J&B's

[@ACoastalLocknKeyAstoria]

What would you suggest is good compost?

[@JohnandBobs]

Well, you can make your own compost at home.. or you can buy all organic products like ours that are a green shortcut to compost and beneficial soil life (which makes it easier to achieve lively soil, and is much easier to apply!)

[@JohnandBobs]

Some local municipalities offer a good green waste compost, or you can use our products which all contain high quality compost or key ingredients of high quality compost. "Good Compost" is full of microscopic and complex beneficial soil microbes, which will improve everything about your soil. -John

[@AntVan-eo5qw]

Watch out for green waste compost from municipalities. It could be unscreened with weed seeds and have glass in it. I used it on my front lawn and it ruined it. Only use it around trees and bushes@@JohnandBobs

[@bubblesmckenzie4125]

Is that plant crossima

[@JohnandBobs]

You probably mean Crocosmia? No, it isn't. The plant that looks the most like Crocosmia in this video is Dianella 'Casa Blue'.

[@WiredPirate1]

Thank you John and Chip

[@JohnandBobs]

You're welcome! 😊🐶

[@Loonysoup-1744]

Thank you!! 🙏

[@JohnandBobs]

Happy to help! -J&B's

[@commentsedited]

Ha. Never again

[@frunomaol5069]

Too long-winded!

[@JohnandBobs]

I took my Spirulina AND Chlorella that day! 😅

[@williamfreeh1198]

ya da ya da ya da. holy cow man get to the point.

[@JohnandBobs]

The point is gypsum is both a myth and a miracle in some cases.