North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Dennis Norton" <dmnorton@royaloakfarmorchard.com>]

Jim,
Gypsum, is calcium sulfate and calcium sulfate doesn't change the soil pH. 
Also, applying gypsum to an acid soil (pH less than 5.5) can also have 
adverse effects on certain crops by displacing soil aluminum, which is toxic 
to plant roots. The key is that gypsum can have adverse effects on certain 
crops.  It may be great for cranberries, but not for all crops.  We use lime 
until our pH is at the desired level. Then we use gypsum to add more 
calcium, depending on the calcium needs of the soil and fruit.  But again, a 
soil test will reveal your aluminum contant as well as your pH and if the pH 
is fine, gypsum can be used for adding more calcium as our soil lab has 
recommended in the past.

Dennis Norton
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Fruth" <jfruth@uslink.net>
To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 8:52 AM
Subject: [NAFEX] Calcium, pH & home-owner soil test


> Dennis,
>    You said, "By the way, if our pH is high, they always recommend lime 
> and
> if not, calcium chloride."
>
>    Sounds like you have an unscrupulous soil tester who is probably 
> getting
> a kick-back from a lime company like some (many/most?) university soils 
> test
> labs get.  If your pH is high, a RESPONSIBLE soil tester would recommend
> gypsum.  You need to find a responsible soils lab.
>
>    As for home owners getting a soils test, I recommend it to my students,
> to do it at least once.  I recommend it where the same soil has been used
> for 50 to 100 years, especially those with sandy soil.  Micronutrients are
> more likely to become depleted in sand than in heavier soils.
> --
>
> Jim Fruth
> Brambleberry Farm
> Pequot Lakes, MN
> www.bberryfarm.com
> Jams, Jellies and Syrups
> (218)568-8483 [Store]
> (218)831-7018 [My cell]