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The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Soils

and soil ammendments

This page is intended to provide information primarily about the physical composition and structure of soils, pH and salinity.

Mineral nutrients and fertilisers are covered more extensively on Plant nutrition and mulches and mulching practice are covered on Mulches. Other related subjects include Compost and Composting and Worms.

However, soil fertility, soil structure and soil chemistry can't be separated completely because many fertilisers and mulches contribute both plant nutrients and add organic matter. On the other hand, some materials added to correct pH problems can also contribute plant nurients. Furthermore, issues like pH and aeration can have an effect on the availablility and uptake of plant nutrients present in the soil.

As the basics are covered extensively in other gardening publications, the aim here will be to concentrate on information from Qld, covering issues relevant to Qld, or other potentially useful information that may be hard to find otherwise.

More about soils and growing media for containers here: Potting Mixes
If you're looking for a place to buy soil in Qld, go to: Landscape Supply Yards

Note that commercial products, regulations, plants and soil types vary from place to place, so some information in links may not apply where you live.

Links


Queensland Soil Types

Soils in QueenlsandDepartment of Environment and Resource Management
Types of soil and plants Overview of the soils of Brisbane. Brisbane City Council
Geology - South-East Brisbane by Villanova College (Coorparoo)
Soil Classification & Regional Patterns with special references to Soils of the Bundaberg area. Part of the 'Physical Geography of Australia'course materials from Central Queensland University
Cropping soils of central Queensland Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland
Look for regional gardening and environmental groups (who might be able to supply information on local soils) on the Regional pages.

General Information

Understand your soil type. (a general overview for the beginner) Queensland Dept Environment & Resource Management (PDF)
Understanding soils A number of factsheets can be downloaded from this page. Queensland Dept Environment & Resource Management
What is Soil? Basic overview. Department of Primary Industries Victoria
Better Soils Agricultural Bureau of South Australia
Soil biology basics factsheets on a variety of topics available from this page. NSW department of Primary Industries
Soil Science Education Homepage National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) USA
Soil Texture University of Florida
Use of Soil Amendments in Landscape Plantings University of Hawaii at Manoa (PDF)
Alternative Soil Amendments Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas

Water penetration and retention
Soil water repellency Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries(PDF)
Soil water repellency Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland
Soil Resistant to Water? Colorado State University
Drought Resistant Soil Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
Take a Hard Look at Water-Holding Compounds University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Hydrogels: Are They Safe? - January 14, 2009 Discusses polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Does gypsum improve clay soils?

There's a widespread misconception, even amongst horticulture professionals, that gypsum can improve the structure of every clay soil. Check out the following links:
Does my soil need gypsum? Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales
Emerson Aggregate Test NSW Department of Natural Resources (PDF)
How to manage soil for citrus (see notes on soil testing and gypsum use) NSW Department of Primary Industries
Understand the behaviour of your soil Natural Gypsum Miners Association, Australia
What About Gypsum? Colorado State University
Clay garden soils require special care University of California, Davis
How to improve clay soil Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

pH

Soil acidity F.A.Q.'s (Frequently Asked Questions) Western Australian Agriculture Authority
Understanding Soils and Nutrients Part 1 - pH Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Soil pH and plant health in the home garden Department of Agriculture Western Australia (PDF)
Think like a plant when measuring soil pH Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Soil pH Colorado State University Extension
Management of soil acidity in agricultural land Department of Agriculture Western Australia
Lawn and Tree Myths (do pines make soil acidic?) Washington State University Clark County Extension
Soil Alkalinity Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Cation exchange capacity


Organic Matter, Carbon

The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part III Can you add too much organic matter to a soil? Washington State University (PDF)
Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
Using Manures in Gardens Yard and Garden News, University of Minnesota
Manures for Organic Crop Production Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA
What is mushroom compost? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University
Mushroom compost - use carefully Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Salinity

Using conductivity meters in agriculture Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland
Minimising salt damage in home gardens Department of Agriculture Western Australia (PDF)
Diagnosing Saline and Sodic Soil Problems Colorado State University Extension

Soil testing

Soil Testing and Sample Collection Missouri Botanical Garden
Putting Your Soil to the Test Montgomery County, Maryland
Using conductivity meters in agriculture Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland

Other

Soil compaction Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland
The Myth of Vibrating Vehicles Does vibration from traffic causes soil compaction nearby? Washington State University (PDF)
The Myth of Soil Amendments Part II Will adding sand improve the texture of a clay soil? Washington State University (PDF)
www.perlite.info information about perlite
Incorporating Zeolite into Soilless Container Media Reduces Nutrient Leaching in Ornamental Plant Production (scroll down the page to view the abstract of this research) University of Florida
Microbial amendments and microbe-friendly additives for the soil Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland
Lead Contamination in the Garden Ohio State University
Plants suitable for heavy clay soils Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland (PDF)
Plants suitable for sandstone or shale areas Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland (PDF)
Plants suitable for seaside areas Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland (PDF)

Manufacturers and distributors of soil conditioners and amendments available in Qld are invited to advertise on this page. For example: composts including treated wastes, wetting agents, pH adjustment, water storage additives (granules, gels), additives for drainage and porosity, flocculation agents. More information about advertising.

More about plant nutrition and fertilisers here: Plant nutrition
More about mulches and mulching practice here: Mulches
More about growing media for containers here: Potting Mixes
If you're looking for a place to buy soil in Qld, go to: Landscape Supply Yards
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