When it comes to crop nutrition, one element often falls under the radar, yet it underpins almost everything that happens in a healthy plant. The element is calcium.

We recently caught up with Tim Parton, a regenerative agriculture consultant and farmer from South Staffordshire, to understand why he considers calcium the starting point for every nutrition plan on his 300-hectar mixed farm.

Why calcium matters

Calcium isn’t just another nutrient on the list. It’s involved in:

• Cell wall strength – Calcium binds pectin to cellulose, creating a physical barrier that makes it harder for fungi, bacteria and pests to penetrate. Stronger cell walls also trigger the plants own defence chemicals.

• Nutrient update – it captivates enzymes that move nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements across cell membranes. Without adequate calcium, other nutrients can’t do their job.

• Root development – Calcium promotes root tips and elongation, giving crops greater access to water and nutrients deeper in the soil profile.

• Soil Structure – In the soil, calcium helps flocculate clay particles, improving aggregation, water infiltration and drainage.

• Stress tolerance – As a cell-signalling molecule, calcium helps plants respond to drought, heat, and waterlogging by regulating stomata and moisture retention.

Putting It Into Practice

Tim's approach is straightforward:

1. Early-season base application – In mid-February, he applies 100–150 kg Ca/ha of Parkers granular calcium fertiliser across all cropping ground, including grassland. This is typically plant-available within six weeks.

2. In-season sap testing – Every 10–14 days, tissue samples guide decisions on foliar calcium top-ups alongside other nutrients.

3. Responsive foliar sprays – Depending on season and crop condition, between one and seven foliar applications (1–5 L/ha) keep calcium levels optimised throughout growth.

This combination of soil and foliar programmes has allowed Tim to step away from routine fungicide and insecticide use relying instead on plant health as the first line of defence.

Common Causes of Calcium Deficiency

Even on soils that test well for total calcium, availability can be limited by:

• Soil pH outside the 6–7 range – Too acidic or too alkaline, and calcium gets locked up.

• Excess nitrogen or potassium – High ammonium-N and K fertiliser rates compete with calcium uptake.

• Compaction and poor biology – Restricted root systems can't access calcium deeper in the profile.

• High magnesium or sodium – These cations compete for the same uptake sites. Gypsum (calcium sulphate) can help displace excess magnesium.

Because calcium is immobile within the plant, deficiency symptoms show up in the newest growth; for example, first tip burn on young leaves is a classic sign.

The Bigger Picture

Tim's focus on calcium sits within a broader regenerative philosophy: build soil biology, encourage root exploration, and let the plant access what it needs naturally. His work with farm-saved seed now in its eighth generation, aims to develop varieties adapted to his specific conditions, with larger root systems and improved nutrient-scavenging ability.

How Parkers Can Help

At Parkers Agri, we supply a range of calcium fertilisers and complementary products to help you build a nutrition programme that starts from the ground up.

For more regenerative farming insights from Tim Parton, visit TimPartonFarming.com.