Both gypsum and lime are important to lawn care as they improve the soil in your lawn, but do so in different ways. Gypsum has been used to reduce soil compaction, improve soil structure, increase air movement, and prevent reduce water run-off. It also has the ability to dislodge salt in the soil and this may be the most useful of all because of the damaging effects salt has on lawns and plant materials in the landscape.
In the winter when rock salt or other ice-melting chemicals are used, they inevitably gets into the lawn, whether spread by a salt truck or piled on the lawn by a snowplow. Although the rock salt is often essential to winter safety, it is very damaging on lawns and plants.
When excessive salt gets into the lawn, the salt damages the soil by displacing other key elements needed by the lawn. The use of gypsum allows the salt to leach away into the sub-soils below the roots of the lawn, rendering it harmless. Heavy watering is required in these areas to aid in the leaching process.
For established lawns, the best results are found when gypsum is applied after a lawn aeration. The aerator removes small plugs of soil from your lawn, creating holes about the size of your small finger. If the gypsum is applied directly after the aeration it enters those holes and has direct contact with the soil in those holes. Applying gypsum as a surface application is less effective.
Pure gypsum is a natural mineral that does not affect the pH of the soil nor does it add or detract from the existing minerals already found in your soil. Gypsum has no plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, so there is no chance of plant damage when using it.
It is also safe for pets and workers can handle the product without gloves or masks. In fact, pet urine on the lawn plagues many homeowners. Not only is pet urine detrimental to the health of your grass, it can also give-off an offensive odor. Fortunately, there is a solution. Gypsum, is a non-toxic, natural neutralizer that is safe for humans, pets, soil, plants and your grass. Gypsum neutralizes the mineral salts in pet urine, resolving odors and preventing lawn damage.
Gypsum may be applied any time of year and, depending on the needs of your particular lawn, we may apply it two to three times a year.
FAQs
Established Lawns: Use 10 lbs. of gypsum per 150 square feet in the spring and in the fall. At these times of year, you can take advantage of seasonal moisture essential for the desired conditioning of the soil.
Can you put too much gypsum on a lawn? ›
It is possible to use too much gypsum. Adding too much gypsum to your soil can damage it by removing necessary nutrients. An abundance of gypsum can remove elements such as iron, aluminum and manganese from your soil and cause them to contaminate other areas, harming plant growth.
How much gypsum do I need for turf? ›
For Lawns, spread approximately 500g per square metre evenly over the turf and water in well. For best results, spike or aerate the lawn before applying the Gypsum.
Can I put gypsum down with grass seed? ›
Gypsum will allow easier soil penetration for seedling grass and can be applied at a rate of up to 60 lbs. per 1,000 feet of lawn area. I would reseed the area first and allow the new grass to grow 2-3 inches high. After the second or third mowing you can apply gypsum and it will work its way into the soil.
How quickly does gypsum work? ›
Most soils only require one yearly application, see immediate improvement within seven days and continued improvement over time. Expect results to last up to two years, though a soil evaluation after a year is recommended.
How do I know if I need gypsum? ›
To know whether or not you need to add gypsum treatment to your lawn care service, we recommend testing your soil's sodium and calcium levels. Hunker recommends reaching out to your local university extension office to retrieve a test at a low cost.
Should I water after gypsum? ›
While not required, watering for 15 minutes after application activates the product for faster results.
Can you apply gypsum and fertilizer at the same time? ›
Since Gypsum can be used on any soil type because it does not alter the soil pH level, you don't have to balance your pH level before applying. Also, since Gypsum is not a fertilizer, it can be used before or after a fertilizer application, anytime of the season.
Does liquid gypsum really work? ›
Unlike other gypsum products, Liquid Gypsum is a solution, so it acts instantly to flocculate the soils. This makes it 2000 times more instantly effective than granular/suspension products. You also do not need to worry about blocked filters and nozzles, which can occur with suspended gypsum.
How much gypsum per 1000 sq ft lawn? ›
Established Lawns – spread 40-50 lb. Sof'n-Soil Gypsum over 1,000 sq. ft.
If so, gypsum will be beneficial and can be applied by sprinkling over the soil surface in existing garden areas or apply to the base of the hole when planting. If your soil does not disperse in water when carrying out the simple test, an alternative clay breaking treatment is required.
Does gypsum help with dog urine spots? ›
Dog Damage - Calcium is your dog's best friend!
Calcium-based products like gypsum and lime are both great for dog spots.
When should I apply gypsum to my lawn? ›
For established lawns, the best results are found when gypsum is applied after a lawn aeration. The aerator removes small plugs of soil from your lawn, creating holes about the size of your small finger.
Does gypsum help aerate lawn? ›
A lesser-known, and perhaps easier way to aerate your lawn is by applying gypsum. Gypsum is a natural mineral that works to coagulate soil particles, effectively creating channels from within the soil structure.
What does gypsum do to dirt? ›
Adding gypsum to the soil reduces erosion by increasing the ability of soil to soak up water after precipitation, thus reducing runoff. Gypsum application also improves soil aeration and water percolation through the soil profile.
Should you apply gypsum before or after aeration? ›
For established lawns, the best results are found when gypsum is applied after a lawn aeration.
How and when to use gypsum? ›
As a rule, gypsum is best cultivated and mixed into clay or heavy soils prior to laying turf or adding turf underlay. If you have an existing lawn that is suffering from compaction, using gypsum will also help relieve compaction in most clay or heavy soils.
In the winter when rock salt or other ice-melting chemicals are used, they inevitably gets into the lawn, whether spread by a salt truck or piled on the lawn by a snowplow. Although the rock salt is often essential to winter safety, it is very damaging on lawns and plants.