Menu Index: Soils and other growing media
How can I use compost to reduce soil borne root diseases
Controlling soil-borne diseases with compost Organic gardeners have long observed that the use of compost makes for healthy plants. A substantial body of scientific evidence is now emerging to support the intuitive feelings of the devotees of compost. There are several reasons why compost works so well, such as the nutrients it releases and the…
Dealing With Saline Soils
What can I do if my garden has saline soil? The problem of salinity in agricultural areas of Australia, where millions of hectares are in various stages of degradation, has become a huge environmental issue. At its worst a highly saline soil becomes toxic to biological activity and can turn into a wasteland where nothing…
Cold composting
In every garden and neighbourhood there is an abundance of organic matter around such as deciduous leaves, strips of bark, prunings and accumulated lawn clippings. There are a few ways of recycling this valuable resource for your garden. One of the easiest ideas is to make a cold compost pile where all this material is…
Composting tips
Composting made simple Bury your scraps– If it is impossible to have a compost bin or heap a simple alternative is to dig a shallow hole and bury your organic waste. The earthworms will multiply in the soil and digest the added material as well as cultivate it for you. You will probably get vegetables…
How to fertilise your garden
The beginning of spring is the perfect time to feed most of the plants in your garden. The first step is to ask a question about which plants need feeding and whether it is necessary. The concept of climate change and decreasing resources has led many to question the sustainability of the traditional garden. Perhaps…
How to get the best out of clay soils
Clay soils can be the best or worst in the garden depending on the type of clay in question and how we treat it. By understanding a bit about what clay is and what gives it its unique properties (both good and bad) we can turn it into a real pleasure to work with. Some…
Choosing soils and soil mixes for your garden
There are times when it can be useful to import soil mixes into your garden. Perhaps you have heavy clay or something akin to beach sand, in other words a soil that is just plain difficult whatever you do to it. Bringing in a ready-to-plant soil mix provides a convenient solution that will avoid a…