Aside from nitrogen and potassium, plants absorb more calcium from the soil than any other mineral nutrient. As one of the six macronutrients -- those minerals required in abundant quantities for plants to live -- calcium plays an essential role in plant health. Just like calcium strengthens the bones of animals, it strengths the cell walls of plants, allowing them to maintain their rigid structure, and helps with mineral transport in and out of the cell. A routine soil test can determine the levels of calcium in your soil and identify any deficiencies. Dolomitic limestone and gypsum are two materials you can add to your garden soil to raise calcium levels.
Instructions
Dolomitic Limestone
1. Measure your garden to determine the area in square feet of soil you need to lime.
2. Spread 50 lbs. of limestone per 1,000 square feet of garden soil unless your soil test results indicate a different application rate. You may need to apply more limestone to heavy silt and clay soils. Unless your soil test instructs you differently, apply about 75 to 125 lbs. per square foot to these soils.
3. Use a garden fork to mix the limestone into the top layer of soil for the best results. If you've already planted your garden, the gardening tools you use to mix the limestone into the soil can damage the roots. Instead, water the soil thoroughly after the limestone application.
Gypsum
4. Measure your garden to determine the area in square feet.
5. Spread 10 to 20 lbs. of gypsum per 1,000 square feet over the surface of the soil in your garden.
6. Work the gypsum into the top layer of soil with a garden fork, if possible, or apply around existing plants. Water into the soil.
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