Soluble salts - Ask Extension
Everywhere that I reseeded with some black dirt the grass is now yellowing. No amount of fertilizer or water will help. I have my soil sample kit but ...
Knowledgebase
Soluble salts #813459
Asked October 06, 2022, 8:13 PM EDT
Everywhere that I reseeded with some black dirt the grass is now yellowing. No amount of fertilizer or water will help. I have my soil sample kit but have not mailed it in yet. From what I have read it sounds like soluble salt. What should I add now before it dies?
Morrison County Minnesota
Expert Response
If excess salts are present, persistent watering is the best way to reduce or prevent turf damage.
We presume you have seen this website and have prepared soil samples to send here:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/soluble-salts
We presume you have seen this website and have prepared soil samples to send here:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/soluble-salts
So adding gypsum or sulfur won't really help much?
From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2022 7:58 PM
To: Scott Hoff <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Soluble salts (#0083389)
Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2022 7:58 PM
To: Scott Hoff <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Soluble salts (#0083389)
Apparently gypsum can be used to remediate soil salts under certain conditions.
However, note this section of the USDA publication that follows:
"How gypsum works. Gypsum is used as an aid to hasten the removal of soluble salts (e.g., sodium) from soils. It is important to keep in mind that while the addition of gypsum makes it easier for soluble salts to be leached by water moving through the soil, only leaching can remove soluble salts from soil. The leaching process can be very slow, and may require several years."
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_018280.pdf
However, note this section of the USDA publication that follows:
"How gypsum works. Gypsum is used as an aid to hasten the removal of soluble salts (e.g., sodium) from soils. It is important to keep in mind that while the addition of gypsum makes it easier for soluble salts to be leached by water moving through the soil, only leaching can remove soluble salts from soil. The leaching process can be very slow, and may require several years."
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_018280.pdf
