Sodic soil (soil with a high content of sodium or salt) presents a challenge to gardeners living is coastal or marshy areas. Brackish ground water often is evidenced by a white crusty layer on the top of the ground. Sensitive plants evidence poor germination, stunted growth and poor production when exposed to excessive sodium. With patience and perseverance, sodic soil can be reclaimed and amended into a fertile soil that sustains vigorous plant growth.
Instructions
1. Add dolomite to the soil. When soils are high in salt, the gardener's goal is to replace the sodium with calcium and then leach out the sodium. Spread dolomite (calcium and magnesium) on the soil surface, then cultivate. An application 50 pounds of dolomite per 1,000 square feet will raise pH levels by one point. Water well to accelerate leaching.
2. If soil tests indicate that there is limestone (calcium carbonate) present in the soil, it can be dissolved by applying sulfur or sulfuric acid. Sulfur products reduce the pH, which dissolves the lime, releasing the calcium. When applying sulfur products, follow label directions accurately.
3. Integrate gypsum (calcium sulfate) into the soil with aggressive tillage. Employ a garden tiller or tractor to work gypsum into the soil. Til repeatedly in all directions across the garden plot or landscape. Repeated tillage breaks up clods and clumps while working the gypsum into the soil. As you til, remove rocks and roots. Reclamation of a foot depth of sodic soil on one acre requires an application of approximately 2 tons of pure gypsum (CaSO4-2h2O). Gypsum is available from home and garden centers. Apply following product manufacturer's label directions.
4. Recycle construction waste. Wallboard (often called sheet rock) is composed of compressed gypsum contained between two layers of paper. The majority of construction waste is made up of wallboard scraps. The home gardener can gather these materials to incorporate into the garden soil. Break up or crush scraps of wallboard and add to the compost pile or integrate directly into the soil.
Related posts
Sodic soil problems can occur in fields with low water tables.In the past, cities salted the earth to prevent invaders from being able to use the land for sustenance. Sodic soils spoil the land ju...
Soil that is high in both salt and sodium is considered to be saline-sodic soil. This type of soil might occur naturally or unnaturally though the impact of human gardening and farming practices....
Most plants grow best in soil that is loose with low levels of sodium.Sodic soils are those that contain high amounts of sodium and few total salts in general, resulting in conditions that are det...
Gypsum, or landplaster, is a calcium sulfate substance. It is used in farming when the soil requires additional calcium. According to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, gyp...
Most soils that would benefit from gypsum cannot sustain turf well.Unless you are located in the southwestern United States, it is unlikely that gypsum should be applied to your lawn either before...
