This is a simple application much like quarterly fertilizing you lawn. Do it in the spring or fall and always do it under sod or turf.
If your trees struggle and your turf is chronically susceptible to disease, your soil may be the problem. High sodium clay is common along the Wasatch Front. The individual clay particles pack tightly into a dense, sticky mass that resists water infiltration, air movement, and root growth. High sodium compounds the problem by displacing the nutrients plants need most. Short of replacing your subsoil entirely, the most effective remedy we have found is Calcium Sulphate.
What It Is
Calcium Sulphate is a naturally occurring mineral widely available in granule form at Steve Regan Co. or Intermountain Farmers Association. It supplies two essential plant nutrients — soluble calcium and sulfur — while improving the physical structure of problem soils. Importantly, it does not raise soil pH, making it safe for lawns, trees, and planting beds alike.
How It Works
Calcium Sulphate works through a process called flocculation. Calcium ions encourage tightly packed clay particles to clump into larger aggregates, opening pore space that allows water and air to move freely through the root zone. At the same time, calcium displaces excess sodium on the soil's exchange sites. When followed by irrigation or rainfall, that sodium leaches below the root zone where it can no longer harm your plants.
How to Apply It
Aerate your lawn first, then broadcast the granules at roughly 20 to 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet, just as you would pelletized fertilizer. The granules work into the aeration holes and carry the amendment directly into the root zone. For best results, apply in fall when cooler temperatures and increased soil moisture help the calcium work down through the soil profile before the growing season begins. A second application the following spring accelerates improvement.
What to Expect
Most lawns and planting areas show measurable improvement in drainage, color, and turf density within one to two growing seasons. For severely compacted or highly saline soils, combining Calcium Sulphate treatment with a 2 to 4 inch top dressing of quality amended soil gives the fastest and most lasting results — replenishing organic matter and beneficial biology at the surface while the Calcium Sulphate continues working below.
We use this method ourselves on Utah clay soils and recommend it to every customer dealing with drainage or sodium problems. Combined with our Premium Blend top dressing, it is the most complete approach we know for reclaiming difficult Wasatch Front soil.