The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Soils

This page is intended to provide information about soils. 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.

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

More about plant nutrition and fertilisers here: Plant nutrition

More about mulches and mulching practice here: Mulches

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

Queensland Soil Types

Understand your soil type. (a general overview for the beginner) Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (PDF)

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

2003 Workshop on Soils in Rural Queensland 29 - 30 July 2003 at Toowoomba Department of Main Roads, Queensland

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 types Department of Natural. Resources and Water, Qld

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

Use of Soil Amendments in Landscape Plantings University of Hawaii at Manoa (PDF)

Water penetration and retention

Soil texture is important when planning watering strategies Oregon State University

Soil water repellency Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Soil Resistant to Water? Colorado State University

Super-absorbent water crystals - are they really so "super?" Washington State University (PDF)

Drought Resistant Soil Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA

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)

Identifying gypsum-responsive soils

Understand the behaviour of your soil Natural Gypsum Miners Association, Australia

Gypsum New Zealand

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

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

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 testing

How to Sample Soils Used for Flower, Fruit, Grape and Vegetable Production Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

Soil Testing and Sample Collection Missouri Botanical Garden

Putting Your Soil to the Test Montgomery County, Maryland

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)

The International Biochar Initiative (IBI)

www.perlite.info information about perlite

australianperlite.com.au

vermiculite.org

Microbial amendments and microbe-friendly additives for the soil Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Mycorrhizal Information Exchange

Composts in the Landscape: Effects on Soil pH and Plant Growth Ohio State University USA

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

What is mushroom compost? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Mushroom compost - use carefully Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Lead Contamination in the Garden Ohio State University

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

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.