Gypsum anyone?

I grow Russian comfrey bocking 14 under all my apple and pear trees. Stinky but a good stink. Just kidding it smells like total ass when decomped. I do love it tho

greasemonkeymann said:

ahh, I totally forgot about that one, I use that as well, plus I use a LOT of chicken-feed oyster shells, but that's cuz I like the way the soil mix looks with them in it.
I admit it's a lil silly, but I am, what I am.

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The problem in a lot of Cali comes down to your water though. If you water is already full of carbonates, it will not break anymore down in your soil. Does that make sense? Do you know the ppms of carbonate in your water? I have heard some in the high desert with ridiculously high amounts.

@greasemonkeymann

NaturalFarmer said:

@greasemonkeymann

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good shit man, I really like how they refer to it as more closer to nitrogen in it's usage and availability
good stuff

Good luck everyone! Peace be to the cool ones.

7:00 in is a great lecture on gypsum. Interesting graphs on yields from gypsum ammended soil from various crops.

MYTH Series: Gypsum Changes the pH of Growing Media
http://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/myth-series-gypsum-changes-the-ph-of-growing-media/

" Like gypsum, limestone contains calcium in the form of calcium carbonate. However, it is not calcium that increases the pH of growing media, but rather carbonate, by neutralizing acid (hydrogen ions)."

GreenSanta said:

I have yet to read the full 2 pages lol, but worth noting that Michael Phillips in one of his youtube videos I remember him talking about drywall being a good soil amendments, the fire retardant stuff is in such low concentration or inert in the soil that it is not a problem but he did say do not use cheap dry wall from china make sure it is america drywall.

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I have actually learned that the cleanest calcium sulfate that is available anywhere is from flue gas desulferization byproduct which is almost pure and contains no heavy metals. Unfortunately this is not considered in organic production.

"Most of your soils organic matter, is built from the roots breaking down, and not built from the above ground (residue)"

NaturalFarmer said:

I have actually learned that the cleanest calcium sulfate that is available anywhere is from flue gas desulferization byproduct which is almost pure and contains no heavy metals. Unfortunately this is not considered in organic production.

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man I can't even keep up with youtube and you throw all those links at us!

What I am experimenting with is whether the soil food web can take care of any deficiencies my soil might have. I dont plan to lime the field ever again (last liming was probably 5+ years ago) I do import a lot of organic matter, overloading the system right now so that eventually I can have the soil food web doing most of the work.

I have caught flak for suggesting high salinity in no till containers in the past. This video overview explains why at around 5:15. IMO high tunnel farming is very similar to indoor no till container.

Very happy with this design and would recommend using this guys plans if you are going to build your own.....or you could pm me hint hint and maybe Ill drop you an email.
I have the 16'.

Very good descriptions of how this works.

Talks some about bacteria borrowing N to break down residue.