🌱 Gypsum to the Rescue: How to Revive Your Lawn After Saltwater Damage
By Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control – Serving Bradenton & Sarasota Counties
Living near the Gulf Coast is paradise… until hurricane season rolls in. Between wind, flooding, and storm surge, your lawn can take a serious beating especially when saltwater makes its way inland.
If you’ve noticed your once-green lawn turning yellow, crispy, or just plain sad after a major storm, saltwater stress may be the culprit. But don’t worry we’ve got a secret weapon: gypsum.
💧 What’s the Problem with Saltwater?
Saltwater from storm surge or flooding can leave behind high levels of sodium in your soil. When that happens:
Sodium binds with clay particles and compacts the soil
Roots struggle to access water and nutrients
Grass begins to wither, yellow, and die off
New growth becomes stunted or patchy
For lawns in Bradenton, Sarasota, and surrounding areas, this can mean months (or even years) of recovery… unless you help your soil bounce back faster.
🧪 What Is Gypsum, Exactly?
Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is a naturally occurring mineral that’s often used as a soil amendment. Unlike fertilizers, it doesn’t add nutrients to your lawn instead, it improves the physical structure and chemistry of the soil.
Here’s the magic part:
The calcium in gypsum replaces the sodium, flushing it out of the root zone
It loosens compacted soil, improving drainage and air flow
It helps restore root function, so your grass can breathe, drink, and grow again
Think of gypsum as a soil detox, it pushes the bad stuff out and helps your lawn recover, naturally.
⚠️ Signs Your Lawn Needs Gypsum After a Hurricane
If your property experienced flooding or salt spray, keep an eye out for:
Grass turning brown or yellow in uneven patches
Water pooling or slow drainage in areas where it didn’t before
Soil that feels hard, crusty, or chalky
New grass seed refusing to take root
These are red flags that sodium is hanging out in your soil — and overstaying its welcome.
🛠️ How Westfall’s Uses Gypsum for Lawn Recovery
At Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all fixes. Our gypsum treatments are tailored for Florida’s unique turf types and post-storm soil conditions.
Here’s how we do it:
Soil Assessment – We test and inspect your lawn to confirm sodium buildup or compaction.
Gypsum Application – We apply the correct amount of gypsum based on your lawn’s square footage and soil profile.
Water Management – We pair treatments with proper irrigation to help flush salts from the root zone.
The result? Faster recovery, deeper roots, and a stronger, greener lawn, even after a storm.
🌿 Bonus Benefits of Gypsum
Even if your lawn hasn’t been hit by storm surge, gypsum has other perks:
Prevents soil crusting and promotes seed germination
Improves fertilizer efficiency
Reduces runoff and nutrient loss
Safe for pets, kids, and Florida’s eco-sensitive zones
📍 Local Experience Matters
As a local, family-owned company serving Sarasota & Manatee Counties since 2001, we’ve seen it all, from backyard flood zones to beachfront turf trauma. We know how Florida soil behaves after storms, and we’re ready with solutions that restore your lawn and protect your investment.
📞 Ready to Revive Your Lawn?
Don’t let hurricane damage linger in your soil. If you suspect saltwater stress, call Westfall’s for a gypsum consultation. We’ll test, treat, and get your grass growing strong again.
Your lawn doesn’t have to suffer for storm season, let us help it bounce back better than ever.