North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

John asked,  "  I have read that gypsum loosens clay soils by binding the 
very small clay particles into larger aggrigates, thus loosening the soil. 
Also adding lots of long term organics such as pine bark are supposed to 
help as well.

 However, to clarify your post, are you suggesting using gypsom to loosen 
the soil AND then add lime to balance it?  Or is this a "one or the other" 
solution?"

John,
   You missed one point of my post.  The farmer added too much gypsum, 
actually, too much over too many years, which acidified his soil.  The 
amount of gypsum needed to loosen soil doesn't contribute much to acidify 
soil but adding alot of  it over many years causes a pH drop.  As for 
raising pH, there are other chemicals that would do but lime is the least 
expensive.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
For jams, jellies & syrups:
www.bberryfarm.com
(877)265-6856 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]