Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 21Feb 01, 2011 12:24 am I can help with pics of the spongolite and zeolite. I really am a little taken back that someone has done this! I'm tearing up a bit! The gypsum thing is something that can't be just done as a given in clay soils. It doesn't always work and when it does it takes years for it to have any effect. Dolomite of lime is sometimes more effective but In my opinion what I have seen organic composts of all types do is far superior to the use of Gypsum. For clay soils or heavier soils, spongolite and perlite are excellent soil amendments to use. Those who have suffered flooding would wish they had spongolite and perlite in their soil structure as it keeps the soil more open and slows nutrient leaching. In summer, they allow an easier passage for water to travel deeper into the soils structure which ultimately leads to less or more effective water use. Zeolite in a granular form. We use this for water bowls and ponds as well. Ensures no algae problems. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Zeolite in a powdered form Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bentonite Clay Clay Cat litter $4 for 3-5kg Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ or as Sodium Bentonite for adding to cattle feed, so we get this from Rural supply shops. 20kgs costs $20-30 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Spongolite (again can be ground up or granulated, doesn't matter) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Another excellent source of info is from this good man, http://www.plantsman.com.au/index.html Lets hope this doesn't happen though.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6N_JLBR ... re=related Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 26Feb 02, 2011 10:32 pm Wrexter, I will clean this thread up so it just the info. Feedback can then be added via a separate thread which cross references this. I thought I answered the question the first time in the lawn thread but somehow this info gets dragged out over 100 pages or whatever. Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 28Feb 09, 2011 1:50 am This is a few examples of what better organic turf care can achieve http://www.lawnreform.org/2011/01/lawn-video.html Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 29Feb 21, 2011 2:45 pm Hello... Nice guide....Very helpfull, and today very confusing lol It's very hard to find some Certified Organic Soil in Sydney. I just rang Australian Native Landscapes and surprisingly was almost told off... that what I need to get is their Turf Underlay which is the best stuff for what I need to do! The lady asked me why i needed sand + Organic soil, and asked me if i was a professional, told me that I can't do my own mix, that is ridiculous.... At the end of the conversation, I just asked SP (Seven Hills) if they had any of certified organic soil even if I make a mistake, it's my own business... She said no... They certainly don't need new customers!! My question is: Is Certified Organic "Compost" the same thing as Certified Organic "Soil"? Also If I can't find any certified organic soil, what would be the best turf underlay? (I have to start my landscaping one day!)... or is there an alternative? I like the idea of mixing nutritious elements in my poor soil instead of just adding a layer... (I come from a place where the soil is black and full of worms, this is a big contrast!) Thank you Fred Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 30Feb 21, 2011 5:34 pm Before tilling the area, should we add about a 10cm layer of organic soils, then mix in with the other additives? ---- Building in Banksia Grove We have keys - 31st March 2011 Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 31Feb 21, 2011 11:30 pm Na, just chuck it all in and mix through with the machine tiller or dingo. As for composts, YES YES YES use them For Sydney siders, get in touch with Kimbriki eco centre for some places to get good bulk compost from As for the advice given, it is especially the professionals that need re-educating. Much of what is known was learnt in the 70's 80's and 90's with little attention to evolving ways of having a turf that isn't addicted to pesticides, fertilisers, and a never ending cycle of going from good to **** and back again much to the annoyance and expense of the owner Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 32Feb 21, 2011 11:32 pm I have done a little serching and try Universal composts, Recycled Organics, http://www.biohumus.com.au/ Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Turf Laying 34Apr 16, 2011 2:35 pm wrexter 5.0 SUPPLIERS 5.1 Empire Zoysia Turf Fu Manchu suggests Empire Zoysia due to:
5.2 Molasses Refer here for a discussion of Molasses Suppliers around the country. Can be bought from any horse feed or produce shop.
5.3 Zeolite Some discussion on Zeolite suppliers and pricing found here. Globe Australia have suppliers in every state http://www.globeaustralia.com.au
5.4 Spongolite
5.5 Bentonite
5.6 Seasol & Powerfeed Available from Bunning but may be cheaper from following places
5.7 Certified Organic Soil Make sure it is NAASA approved.
5.8 Piggypost
Went to Woodvale Fish & lilly Farm, very helpful Zeolite & Spongolite $16 each for 10kg bag They said about 2.5kg per 10m2 ---- Building in Banksia Grove We have keys - 31st March 2011 Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 35Apr 20, 2011 11:05 pm I'd go more, way more. It sure won't hurt Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 36Apr 21, 2011 9:13 am But how much more is way more? Double triple? A whole triple road train? (I know more is better but surely there is a cost/benefit limit). I want to provide the best conditions as I'm going to be taking a truckload of sand off the top and apply the organic treatment in about 2-3 weeks in prep before the lanscaping package gets laid... Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 37Apr 21, 2011 3:41 pm next questionis, can you apply more over the top and let it be watered in through mulch and turf? ---- Building in Banksia Grove We have keys - 31st March 2011 Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 38Apr 22, 2011 12:55 am Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 39Apr 22, 2011 12:28 pm Hey Fu, is this process similiar to preparing for a garden? Also, Ive heard weed mat isnt good as it basically puts a stop to nature, doesnt get enough water etc so what would be a long term alternative? Ive heard about newspaper but once it decomposes than what? My dad swears by coffee grounds (he owns a cafe) I cant wait to start preparing! Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! I'm about to put down some Merbau. Is it necessary to oil underneath the boards before laying? 0 1933 Hey There. No problems re jumping in. My original question was "should I have waterproofed" the concrete slab before putting batons down. We have been told we should… 7 4328 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5876 |