Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Apr 16, 2012 9:11 am I have searched for this information but cant seem to find the answer, I did post the same question last week in Fu Manchu's Guide to Soil Prep & Laying Turf but have not received any replies so I am trying again here hoping that someone is willing to point me the the best direction. I have recently had a bob cat in and ripped all the old neglected gardens out, it has been drama after drama getting all the new things in place, but the time has finally now come to sort the levels out ready for the new gardens and lawn areas, there is that small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and I have no idea which is the best way to go? So can I ask if anyone in Perth has used/looked at the soils and conditioners sold at greenlifesoil.com.au? OR that can suggest a better alternative? I contacted Green Life Soils recently to see what was in their mixes and this was the reply "when on our website, you go into the 'soils and conditioners' category then under 'General Concentrate' it should say; "Loads of nutrients, organic matter and minerals to help hold water. Ideal for topping up and conditioning existing garden beds. Recommended mixing rate is 1 part concentrate to 1 part soil." When we say 'everything', we mean everything that WE suggest it needs to grow, not everything that everyone else suggests should be used. Just thought I would clarify that. Home one suggests Bentonite, Spongolite/Perlite, Zeolite, Piggypost . . We put in Bentonite, gypsum, zeolite, rock phospate, potassium silicate, granite dust and pure blood and bone. Instead of piggypost we instead have a mix of garden compost, mushroom compost, blend of sheep and cow manure and econo mulch. This being the actual 'composition' of this soil. SO, to answer your question, it has everything that you need and so long as you mix it in well and water it in well, you will be able to help ensure the best start for your gardens. Hope this helps." I am in the Willetton area and the sand has been also neglected for many years. looking at ordering something this week so I can sort levels out in garden beds and the new lawn area on the weekend. So my questions would be - - Do you think that they have a good off the shelf mix, (I also know that they add Sand Remedy into their soils!) - Would this alone be suffice to improve the sand into a decent soil OR do you feel that the likes of the suggested Bentonite, Sponglite, Zeolite, Piggypost recommended through Fu Manchu's soil prep guide would be in small quantities and would need to be increased? - Is there a better mix available out there? Thanking you Please help a noob out with some Advice 2Apr 16, 2012 10:33 am I am pretty sure fu thought fu mentioned these guys in a positive way at one stage in response to a query before now Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 4Apr 16, 2012 11:26 am Thanks for the reply kexkez and do agree, I have seen Green Life mentioned in a many posts for being suppliers of certain individual products, including their certified compost, however I cant find anything that says that the soils/conditioners is a good product or not? I also recall Fu saying that a lot of the packaged soil/conditioners are not worth the money and don't hold the necessary bits to really do the job?? Maybe I am wrong, but since I know nothing about gardening or soil nutrients, I don't really wish to reinvent the wheel and get all these separate products in, run the risk of using too much or not enough of certain things and then be exactly where we were 6 months ago with less money in my pocket where nothing will grow. Specially if I can just make a call get 1 product mixed and delivered by people that actually know what they are doing! When I had the bob cat in, I did get extra sand removed for the purpose of bringing some good soils in to improve what is there, unfortunately the more I look into it, the more confused I am getting, maybe I am missing something when I do the searches??? So I am really hoping that someone will be able to share their expertise and guide me in the right direction Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 5Apr 17, 2012 1:36 pm Can ANYONE give some input on this? OR Recommend a good product out there? Surely one of these landscaping supplies are taking heed to new information and are moving with the times to supply quality products????? And surely someone here can share some expertise and help me out Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 6Apr 17, 2012 3:28 pm Mark_38 Can ANYONE give some input on this? OR Recommend a good product out there? Surely one of these landscaping supplies are taking heed to new information and are moving with the times to supply quality products????? And surely someone here can share some expertise and help me out Hi Mark,there is a new product on the market by Richgro. It is called "Sand into Soil" and has Zoelite,Spongolite and Betanite clay in its makeup.I have not used it yet but have noticed it is very popular with Bunnings customers even though it costs around $28 a bag. Topiarius Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 7Apr 17, 2012 4:23 pm Thanks for the information topiarius On a rough calculation I did the other day, I will be needing around 16 cubic meters of extra soil to bring the levels up to the finished height, so was really hoping for something in bulk. But as you say, it does look like it contains everything suggested here Bentonite,Zeolite and Spongolite, so maybe a couple of bags of this and some compost may do the trick???? But when they are suggesting 4kg per square meter for extremely sandy repellent soils (like I have) and if you are saying its $28 a bag???? I don't know what buying the individual products would work out at? Hence why i was kinda asking here, hoping to get some advice from people that have already been though the process and whether it was successful or not? Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 8Apr 17, 2012 4:31 pm Hi Mark, I'm no expert but from what I've read on this website if you add organic compost plus throw the additives that Fu mentions (whatever you can find - don't be too stressed if you can't get them all) and mix it all through you will be off to a good start ... once everything is planted you start watering the molasses in every two months or so, seasol and powerfeed once a month (from memory). We had problems with clay in our front garden and all the new plantings died from lack of drainage - I just added some organic compost to the soil, cut down the water and replanted and it's all going great guns now ... with the molasses, seasol and powerfeed. You will know once you add the organic compost if you are doing the right thing as the soil will change ... good luck! For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 9Apr 17, 2012 4:41 pm Thanks Mclaren But as you will probably understand since it is basically a bare patch at the moment I would rather spend the money now and do everything possible to reduce possible problems later down the track! As little as my understanding maybe on the subject, common sense tells me that it is a lot easier to add things into the soild BEFORE planting rather than trying getting things to the root system say after the lawn is down. The soils/conditioner that I was looking at seems to have everything but I have no idea if the needed quantities are there. I also recall Fu saying NOT to use Mushroom Compost (which is also contained in the mix) in 1 of his post! All seems a bit daunting to me at the moment, if I am going to spent the money am looking at HOPEFULLY getting it right Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 10Apr 17, 2012 4:51 pm That's why I'm saying not to buy the packaged stuff or mushroom compost - just add the organic compost, zeolite, spongolite, etc. etc. which is mentioned in this thread viewtopic.php?f=19&t=43570 to your soil and you can't go wrong. If you speak to suppliers of landscape materials they will think you are mad once you start talking about molasses, etc. but it makes so much sense to follow what Fu says. I have all the additives ready to go for when we do our back garden - my hubby thinks I'm mad but as he's seen from the little bits I've done in the front garden so far it works .... Here is a link to Dee's thread - she has just under an acre and you will see what she is producing after just 18 months following Fu's advice is very impressive .... viewtopic.php?f=19&t=39369&hilit=sufficiently For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 11Apr 17, 2012 4:59 pm Thanks again Mclaren That basically answers the question if I am understanding correctly, stay away from the mixes and best to get the individual products Looks like its time to go shopping then Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 12Apr 18, 2012 2:40 pm For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 13Apr 18, 2012 2:48 pm Mark_38 Thanks again Mclaren That basically answers the question if I am understanding correctly, stay away from the mixes and best to get the individual products Looks like its time to go shopping then The "Sand to Soil" is so popular as you only need to spread it out over 45 sq.metres and then dig it in and the job is finished. Topiarius Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 14Apr 18, 2012 3:07 pm Thanks Mclaren Have spent all day on the internet and phone trying to get this all sorted. Could not understand why no-one was answering their phones until I spoke to a gentleman at Healthy Plus regarding the Bactivate and he kindly informed me that it was garden week next week and everyone was out a Perry Lakes setting up! So will see what happens later in the week Was looking at the Bentonite, Zeolite and Spongolite from Green Life Premium Compost from Eureka Organic Bactivate from ?? Molasses from Micro Bros Seasol, Powerfeed and seamungas from Bunnings topiarius, yes the guy at Healthy-Plus was recommending "Soil Solver" which I am thinking is on the same line and "Sand to Soil" and "Sand Remedy" so I don't know yet, the Soil Solver did not seem to work out much cheaper than the individual products! and the advantage of the individual products one would think you would know exactly what was going into the garden?? Any looks like I may have to put it off for another week or so until Garden week winds up Thanks for the input people it is greatly appreciated Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 15Apr 18, 2012 3:13 pm It's hard work isn't it?? Be nice if you could get all in one place .... I got Bactivate posted to me by this chap ... Rod Moffatt Director Organic Breakthrough www.organicbreakthrough.com.au Mobile: 0419335724 For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 16Apr 18, 2012 3:24 pm The Guy from Healthy-Plus said they don't normally sell to the public on account they are the distributors for the Bactivate so he suggested Dawson's Nursery which is just up the road from home. But then when we started talking about the "Soil Solver" and basically needing a tonne of it, he said we could work something out later when the organization of Gardening week calms down? Would just be nice to talk to a couple of people and get the same answers! But everyone I seem to talk to recommends a different product saying it is better! So I am still kinda leaning towards the individual products, for about $200 extra but at least I will know what has gone in! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 17Apr 18, 2012 3:28 pm FYI ... 3kg of Bactivate is enough for 100 sq metres and cost me $32 + postage $12. Hey ... what's $200 in the scheme of things For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 18Apr 18, 2012 3:35 pm Well getting the individual product from Green life is going to be around $1000 using the Soil Solver is going to cost around $800 so I am thinking the extra $200 is not a great deal of difference and if it means that I will end up with a better finished product - money well spent I was quoted around $100 for the 25kg bag of the Bactivate Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 19Apr 21, 2012 4:39 pm Mclaren FYI ... 3kg of Bactivate is enough for 100 sq metres and cost me $32 + postage $12. Hey ... what's $200 in the scheme of things Oops I just brought 50kgs of the stuff for around 260sq m!!! looks like my nieghbours will be getting a benefit I went outside once. The graphics were alright, but the gameplay sucked! Settlement:22nd June Slab:27th August Frame:16th Sept Bricked:21st Oct Roof:24th Nov Linings HANDOVER23rd March! Re: Please help a noob out with some Advice 20Apr 23, 2012 8:48 am I was under the impression that the Bactivate was something that was re-applied every couple of months and watered in with Molasses so if that is the case it would make sense to by the buy cheaper bigger bags and just keep it in the shed until needed again? Thank you so much for the effort. We will use it to talk with builder. We also had idea of building duplex instead and seeking suggest ions. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106744 11 13830 Hi VK, I am now retired however I have stood beside over 300 owner builders in the past 18 years that have successfully built their own homes. First of all a building… 10 22663 Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 17361 |