Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Feb 12, 2010 12:01 pm I tried to search through the threads but I am now more confused than when I started We are in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Not on the water but fairly close (walking distance to a bay). I suspect we are almost completely on sand; our excavations had to be done by hand as all the sand kept caving in. Now that house is up and I look like I am on a beachfront minus the water/views!! We used to have grass but I have no idea which. What turf and soil treatment should I be looking at?? PLEASE HELP!! Any recommendations on turf suppliers/ installers in Sydney are most welcome too progress viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20401 sculptures viewtopic.php?f=36&t=26607 pole trouble viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25988 Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 2Feb 12, 2010 12:29 pm You should take a look at the Perth info I post. It is all the same, good certified organic soils, zeolite, spongolite to reduce leaching. We know our stuff here in the West when it comes to sand. We have the oldest and most inorganic deep sand there are over here. So what we are learning over here about how some of the most diverse flowering plants grow in it is leading some significant changes in the way Australians can improve the unsustainable landscape techniques they currently use. This is information that Dr John Colwill put together for the WA water corporation and has been taken up by other states as well. http://www.watercorporation.com.au/W/wa ... -2997-2837 http://www.watercorporation.com.au/W/wa ... -1558-4831 With this one is shows the Perth areas different soil types and how to work with them. http://www.sercul.org.au/fertilise_wise.html Have a watch of this fantastic bloke, Nev Passmore with some plant ideas and some pointers. http://www.watercorporation.com.au/_fil ... ardens.wmv sandy soils of various types... http://www.greatgardens.info/docs/GGFERT2.html http://www.greatgardens.info/docs/GGFERT3.html http://www.greatgardens.info/docs/GGFERT4.html If you are ever over here on holidays, come to one of our Great gardens workshops. You'll go home with a very clear view of what needs to be done to achieve a truly waterwise landscape and sustainable garden into the future. Hope that helps, I could maybe find more info but I think that will keep you busy for a bit Also have a read of the link in my sig Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 3Feb 27, 2010 10:52 am The best thing to do for the Eastern Suburbs sandy soils near the coast is to mix in organics. Spread them over the surface then rotary hoe the organics in. Sydney is not as dry as Perth in summer, so it is easier to grow things on the East Sydney sandy soils than compared to Perth. Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 4Feb 27, 2010 1:37 pm That is what ONLY ONE of the many landscapers said I got a range of responses with a couple recommending removal of sand 100mm deep and replacing that with underlay soil etc... progress viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20401 sculptures viewtopic.php?f=36&t=26607 pole trouble viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25988 Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 5Feb 27, 2010 2:13 pm Seeking solutions this is why I posted the WA info. You may not be aware of it but WA leads the country for getting the correct info out there. The WA hort groups work hard to put competitive egos and commercialism aside for the benefit of the community. Hats off to them for doing as well. Our people lead Australia on soils. Apply what we are learning here about sustainable gardens and look out over there! The results will be better still with the wetter summers. It's all about feeding the soil, creating soils and maintaining soil health. Do that and be prepared to be amazed. You won't find many who have a common grip on the better and newer sustainable methods. Re education of various industries and the type of advice provided leaves much to be desired by many. This will change over the next 5 years. Just go with what I advise and choose someone to do it for you. They can learn something too and hopefully adopt the practices themselves for future gardens and further creating sustainable landscapes I could elaborate more but then my crapping on will bore you to tears Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 6Feb 27, 2010 5:05 pm Fu, don't get me wrong, I tried to go through the info you so kindly posted up for me. Wish I had more time to sort through it and understand it all. My DH was the one who got all these people to come round and quote for doing the garden Your suggestions on zeolite/ spongolite - when I mentioned them I got really bewildered looks... And I really, trully appreciate any / all input I get progress viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20401 sculptures viewtopic.php?f=36&t=26607 pole trouble viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25988 Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 7Feb 28, 2010 12:02 am Have a look at this too, just to make things harder still http://www.soilfoodweb.com.au/ Re: Confused-- eastern Sydney--what do I do on sand?? 8Feb 28, 2010 9:39 am Removing soil by 100mm and replacing it does create a layering effect, which most soil scientists will say is bad. I think fixing the soil that is there is much better. Why not pay a small fee and send a sample to Sydney soil laboratory. This way the advice will not be guess work and based on real world facts. It will probably only cost a couple of hundred dollars, much less than ripping out all that soil and replacing it. I'm putting a new floor in my kitchen, slate flagging on a standard concrete slab. 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