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Most healthy gardens have soil on a pH scale of
6.5 to 7. This garden may look like any other, but because it is
located close to the beach the landscape is essentially built up
from sand and limestone rock and the soil has the astounding pH
of between 9 and 9.5. |
For the owners, it was a priority to
work with the high pH levels of
the garden, and to do this they added organic material to improve the
soil, and selected plants tolerable to these conditions. Lots and lots
of mulch was applied, in the from of Cottage Mulch,
horse manure, garden pruning's, lawn clippings,
even table scraps. Anything organic was used to improve the soil and
give vital nutrients to the plants.
Crucial to the success of this garden was the need to keep moisture in
the sandy, extremely free draining soil. A good quality irrigation
system was installed on the soil, under the mulch. Deep watering
cycles were used several times per week initially in an effort to encourage the
roots of the plants to grow deeper rather than shallow. The watering was
then backed off gradually as the plants became more established, to the
point of not needing much additional irrigation (in the order of an hour
every 21 - 28 days, depending on rains) after only two years. The result is
much hardier plants, more resistant to drought. Salt tolerant plants
were also used, such as Melaleuca Hypercifolia, Cassia Howitii,
Eremophila Maculata, Hebe 'Veronica' and Westringia Fruticosa,
which are all particularly resistant to strong winds and very hot
conditions. Certain plants are better suited to growing in coastal
conditions.
Well-establishing trees also add to this success. The Banksia
Integrifolia, Acacia Salignus and the Melaleuca Armilaris thrive under these conditions and
will provide future shade for other plants as well as good form, texture and colour.
There are also several Eucalypts in amongst the garden too.
Eucalyptus Campaspe and Eucalyptus Fasciculosa have been used
to add to the future canopy.
Observing plants closely can indicate how they are coping with their
growing conditions. If they thrive they are well adapted, but often in
highly alkaline soils the nutrients can become locked up and made
unavailable to plants causing a yellow appearance of the leaves. This
can be rectified quickly with a foliar spray of iron and magnesium
sulphate, although ongoing problems will occur. The best remedy is to
keep applying lots of organic matter into the soil, and try to avoid
woody mulches, like large bark chips and large chunks of dead wood, as
these offer little nutrients. Read more information in our
mulch article.
Overcoming the challenges of a coastal landscape can be difficult to
achieve, but these gardeners have had great success by choosing species
wisely and understanding the soil conditions.
Another solution to coastal soil conditions is to create raised beds for
planting. Windbreaks are also important in coastal gardens. Trees such
as Casuarinas with their fine feathery leaves and Acacias help to filter
the wind. It is important to choose salt tolerant plants like the
Rock Rose Cistus x Purpureus ‘Brilliancy’, which is ideal for
this type of situation but also performs well under drought conditions.
Lavender hybrid Lavandula x Allardii also thrives under
coastal conditions.
Soils with a high pH level are no barrier to creating a beautiful
garden. Adverse coastal conditions can be overcome with the right
approach.
Soil and sunlight conditions can make a difference on how successful you
will be in growing your plants. The addition of composts or soil
improvers and fertilisers will certainly improve your chances of having
healthy growing plants. Why not try talking to them too? Welcome each
plant to your new garden, and give them lots of positive energy. Each
time you are in your garden, imagine how you would like the garden to
look. Get a firm picture in your mind of your intentions for your
garden, and watch your plants respond. Most of all, be grateful for your
garden, and the fact that you have the time to spend in it. Your garden
will respond to your positive, loving energy.
Strong, salt-laden winds
play a big part in affecting the growth of the plants. In very exposed,
open areas where you are starting a new garden it is sometimes a
good idea to build small wind breaks around the new shrubs and trees for
the first few months. This will help protect the plants growth until
they start to acclimatise.
SOIL WETTING AGENTS
These agents, when applied to the
soil are long lasting and help the water to penetrate deeply and evenly
increasing the moisture retention in the root zone, saving water by
reducing the run off; at least - that's the theory. The use of soil
wetting agents is not recommended on the Fleurieu Peninsula
because, they can be destructive if applied incorrectly. Natural, native
bushlands and forests don't need them, so why does a private garden??
You can save water by watering wisely, using dripper irrigation instead
of sprinklers, etc. Don't add anything artificial to the
soil if you don't have to.
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