The use of gypsum as a soil amendment has been around for more than 250 years due to its many characteristics that help soil chemistry. Soil amendments, like gypsum, are undervalued in comparison to fertilizer usage, but the bottom line is it will not matter the amount of fertilizer applied to a lawn, the plants will not be able to access key nutrients essential for growth if the soil is compacted or the chemistry is compromised. But why gypsum? Let’s take a look into what gypsum is and its benefits to soil as well as when and why applying it to your lawn can improve turf health, appearance and the efficiency of nutrient uptake.
BUT WAIT! WHAT IS GYPSUM?
Pelletized Gypsum (calcium sulfate) removes sodium in soil and replaces it with calcium and sulfur, which are essential macronutrients not typically applied during fertilization which help boost plant health. Gypsum works great at loosening compact clay soil by pulling particles together creating porous spaces for air, water and plant roots. Gypsum also increases water storage and reduces erosion. This amendment is great for any soil type since it will improve soil structure while not altering pH. Gypsum is a moderately, soluble source, that performs in all three categories of soil treatment: a conditioner, a nutrient provider and an amendment.
- TIP: Gypsum is a perfect soil amendment to use against salt damage from winter.
Conditioner
Gypsum improves compacted soil by breaking it up, increasing water infiltration rates, reducing erosion losses of important plant nutrients as well as soluble phosphorus water run-off.
Nutrient provider
No, gypsum is not a true fertilizer that provides needed N-P-K levels for plants, but rather helps plants by introducing calcium and sulfur, essential macronutrients not typically applied during normal fertilization methods, to help soil perform better by enhancing nutrient availability and improving soil structure. Gypsum also improves utilization of calcium, magnesium, potassium and other cations
difficult to consume from the soil.
Amendment
Gypsum
amends soil aggregation by preventing dispersion of soil particles, reducing surface crust formation and compaction; promoting deep rooting and seeding emergence as well as amending sodic soil reclamation.
WHY APPLY GYPSUM?
Fertilizing is just not enough when preparing and managing a lawn’s health. Although fertilizer helps put needed macronutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus
and Potassium
back into soil for plant uptake, soil amendments like gypsum are necessary to make the nutrients you apply available to the plant as well as adding critical macronutrients to your soil.
BENEFITS OF GYPSUM
- Replenishes calcium and sulfur which are essential macronutrients not typically applied during fertilization
- Can be used on all soil types, improves soil structure but will not alter pH
- Reduces compacted clay soils allowing nutrients and water to be accessible to the plant
- Removes sodium (salt toxicity, great for ice melt damage and coastal areas)
- Assists in temperature and drought hardiness
- Increases water storage and reduces erosion
HOW DO I KNOW I NEED GYPSUM?
If your soil is compacted, deficient in calcium and sulfur, or suffering from salt toxicity, gypsum is the solution for you. A soil test is recommended in order to better understand macronutrient deficiencies, base saturation levels (percentage of nutrient holding sites occupied by cation), as well as, soil salt toxicity and overall soil chemistry. Testing the soil is also helpful when applying gypsum applications in order to determine appropriate rates of application. Review all label instruction before applying.
- NOTE: When looking at soil test results, you want the soil’s target saturation levels for the macronutrients Calcium to be: 70-80% and for Magnesium to be: 10-13%.
WHEN CAN I APPLY IT?
Since Gypsum can be used on any soil type because it does not alter the soil pH level, you don’t have to balance your pH level before applying. Also, since Gypsum is not a fertilizer, it can be used before or after a fertilizer application, anytime of the season.
WHAT PRODUCT SHOULD I USE?
TurfCare™ has a great gypsum product that gets the results you need and more! They offer an enhanced pelletized Gypsum product powered by AMP-XC™
with Humic and Iron. This enhanced product includes not only Gypsum, but also a protein hydrolysate (AMP-XC™), concentrated organic materials (Humic) and the most important element involved in greening (Iron). This powerful combination of ingredients activates the benefits of gypsum along with several beneficial biological and environmental responses in the plant and soil and greatly improves the health and lush green appearance of turf.
JARGON
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): The measurement of the soil’s ability to hold positively charged ions, influencing soil structure stability, nutrient availability, soil pH and reaction to fertilizers as well as other ameliorants.
- Sodicity: the amount of sodium held in a soil; sodium is a cation (positive ion) that is held loosely on clay particles in soil. When sodium makes up more than about 5% of all cations bound to clay particles, structural problems begin to occur, and the soil is said to be sodic (Chapter D5. Sodic soil management, nsw.gov)
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service
to find a distributor near you.
References:
https://www.usagypsum.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/AMI-tech-general.pdf
http://www.gypsoil.com/news-and-events/gypsum-and-lime
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/127278/Sodic-soil-management.pdf
https://www.southlandorganics.com/blogs/news/17989176-what-is-soil-conditioner
https://www.fertilesoilsolutions.com/soilwater-science/the-role-of-gypsum-in-agriculture/
http://www.cmtmi.com/gypsum.asp
Chen, Liming, David Kost, and Warren A. Dick. “Gypsum as an Agricultural Amendment.” The Ohio State University Extension Bulletin 945 (2011). pp. 1464-1470.
https://fabe.osu.edu/sites/fabe/files/imce/files/Soybean/Gypsum%20Bulletin.pdf
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.