SAND & SOILS

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Fresh compost is the natural choice of gardeners and landscapers for higher yields, good tilth, and soil that is rich in organic matter and nutrients.

Compost will improve the growing ability of any soil type - even heavy clay or sandy soils. Mix it with your native soil prior to planting to get the best results from your flower or vegetable gardens, lawns, and nursery stock plantings.

Soils:

During spring or autumn you may find it necessary to buy top soil either for you lawn or your garden.

The most valuable things in your garden in terms of both time and money are your plants and these will be much healthier if planted in the right soil.

All soil has a measurable pH level the higher the level the more alkaline, the lower the more acid with a pH level of 7 being considered neutral. As a general rule it is a good idea to buy soil where pH is not far or below 7. As an example that rich looking, red mountain soil has a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5 and therefore is really best suited for natives. Sandy loam which is commonly used for lawns has a pH of 5.5 and yet the ideal level for lawns is between 6 and 7.

When buying soil for any purpose in the garden it is usually best to go for a good quality soil mix for although slightly dearer than straight soil it will generally give better results. A soil mix is a blend of good soil with a number of other organic components ensuring that your plants or lawn get a good start.

A good soil mix also has a pH level of approximately 7 which makes it very suitable.

Benefits

  Adds organic matter to soils

  Balances pH

  Adds beneficial micro-organisms to soils

  Fertilizes soil with micro and macronutrients

  Helps restore soil to proper tilth

  Improves moisture retention in soil

  Dark colour retains heat from sun

The best times to sow a lawn are in spring and autumn.  When sowing in spring wait until all chance of frost has passed and before the hot weather begins.  While instant turf will give you an instant effect it is expensive.  Sowing seed is much cheaper and gives the satisfaction of watching your lawn grow.

Soil Preparation

If an existing lawn is replaced, the old grass must be removed.  In small areas a pick or shovel can be used to slice away the top layer of grass but larger areas will require a rotary hoe to loosen the grass before removing.  Both clay and sandy soils will benefit from the additions of organic additions such as weed free compost or manure.  Top soils are also often used and if so it is well worthwhile investing a little more to buy a good soil mix for this purpose.

Grading

If starting from scratch the soil will need to be graded by moving the top soil until it is at the proper height and on the desired slope.  Grading will also ensure adequate drainage for the lawn once it has grown.  The slope can be judged by eye or for a more precise finish a spirit level can be used.

Drainage

Good drainage is vital for growing healthy lawns and grading is a basic way of improving drainage.  Alternatively badly drained soil or areas where grading is not possible can be improved by the addition of a drainage system.  Flexible plastic drainpipes in grave-filled trenches are commonly used for this purpose and can be easily installed by the average gardener.

Irrigation

The ground irrigation systems are an efficient way to water lawns and help to conserve water and the system should be laid prior to planting the seeds.  Do it yourself pop-up systems are readily available and simple to install.

Edging

Lawn edging such as wood, brick or concrete helps to give the area a finished look and is very practical as it enables the grass edge to be trimmed more easily

Selecting Your Seeds

Grasses are categorised as warm season or cool season.  Warm season grasses grow vigorously in hot weather and are dormant during cold weather.  Cool season grasses can withstand harsh winters but often languish during hot, dry summers.  Your local nursery will be able to advise on the most suitable grass for your area and location.  Grass seeds for shaded areas that get little sun are also available.  But a larger amount of seed than you will need initially so you will achieve some left for top-dressing later.

Sowing Seeds

After the soil has been prepared, seeds should then be planted on a windless day.  Seeds can be scattered by hand or for larger areas spread by a seed spreader available at a hire centre for approximately $10 a day.  A steel rake is then used to lightly scratch the seeds into the soil.  The seeded area must be watered frequently for the first three weeks to ensure that the soil does not dry out until the grass has sprouted.

Fertilisation

Lawn starter is commonly used at the time of seed sowing to assist the grass growth.  It is usually necessary to fertilise once or twice in spring at the beginning of the growing season and once again during the autumn.

Mowing

New lawn should not be mown until 4 to 6 weeks after sowing.  Ideally lawns should be maintained at a mowing height of between 7 and 10 cms.  Most people mow their lawns too short which causes them to brown during hot weather.