Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I read an answer recently suggesting a remedy for hard clay, using Gypsum and Sugar.  I have a very similar problem.  Will this work?  Thanks!

Alex.

ANSWER: Gypsum will put Calcium in your soil.  And if your soil tests high for Sodium, Gypsum will fix the soil structure.

Some people use it hoping to correct the pH.  Gypsum will not help with that, either.

Montana State University touches on your question in its discussion of ways to correct soil.  They say, 'Under extremely poor soil conditions, fill the holes with soil amendments such as sand, peat or calcined clay. (Only in rare cases should gypsum be used.)'

Let's read that again:

ONLY IN RARE CASES SHOULD GYPSUM BE USED.

Got that?

You can read the whole speech here:

http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9310.html

Sugar will have no effect on your Soil problem.  Some authorities consider it bad (one thinks it will clog the Casparian strips on the Grass roots), some think it might be good (Fungi respond to sucrose, if you want to raise the Fungus population -- which you don't want to do in Grass because it alters the pH UPWARDS -- it would be fine).  I believe it's a waste of money, but that it won't hurt anyone except for tossing your dollars out the window.  Usually the people who reach for the Sugar NEED their money.  Personally, ANYONE who uses Sugar or Gypsum instead of a Scotts bag of poisonous powder is doing us all a favor.

Returning to your soil, there are legitimate ways to correct a Clay problem.  Please tell me where you are and I will give you the contact info for testing your soil.  We have science to work with today.  Thanks for writing.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello, I would like to supply the zip code for a local soil-testing facility.  30024 - State of Georgia.  Thank you.

Answer
Follow instructions VERY CAREFULLY for taking a Soil Sample, then bring it to the Gwinnett County Extension Service offices.  Their Lab Services department will give your Sample to University of Georgia's Soil Testers in Athens, GA.  Gwinnett County Extension posts instructions and fees at their website:

http://county.ces.uga.edu/gwinnett/AG/tips/lab/default.htm

If this were me, I would request rates for their special Soil Test for Boron, Ammonium Nitrogen, Nitrate Nitrogen, Soluble Salts (to find out how much concentrated fertilizer is sitting around in your Soil)and Organic Matter.  If they're in your budget, go for it.  These are rarely expensive.

For the Rolls-Royce of Soil Testing, you can contact Soil Foodweb NY.  Follow the directions at:

http://www.soilfoodwebnewyork.com/

Make sure your sample does not get delivered on Friday or during the weekend.  You don't want to damage the sample -- 3 days in storage will alter your results.  It'll cost you.  But they'll include a biological breakdown with your results, which can speak volumes about your Soil.

Keep me posted.