Soil Base

[Russ]

I have been doing a bit of research into some cheap but effective ways of making up a good quality soil.

After reading all available posts here, and other places around the web i started looking into sand, soil and gravel retailers around Sydney.

I have been looking at the Australian Native Landscapes website and they seem to have a good variety of everything available (I have posted some links so you can check it out yourself). I want to know if anyone has any experience with Australian Native Landscapes and their products (pricing etc..) and if not, any suggestions as to where i should be looking for these types of products.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
Cheers

http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/quarry_products.html
http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/soil_conditioners.html
http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/decorative_gravels.html

[Asus101]

http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/auto/10 ... 46462.html
http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/auto/10 ... 18195.html
or
http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/auto/10 ... 36847.html sieved to take fines out
http://www.anlscape.com.au/page/riverina_red_10.html

mixed with a little zeolite for greater water holding if needed.

[Russ]

Is this what you use Asus? If it is, is it a general mix, or do you vary depending?

What does everyone else use? If you do make up your own soil where do you buy your 'ingredients' from?

[Asus101]

Is this what you use Asus? If it is, is it a general mix, or do you vary depending?

What does everyone else use? If you do make up your own soil where do you buy your 'ingredients' from?

I wish I could get this stuff!!!
If I was where you where thats what i would use for my current conditions.

Remember you want sharp sands, some sharp gravel and something to retain moisture. The sand I recommended isnt too big and isnt too fine, same with the gravel.

[Hector Johnson]

I used to make my own soil mix up. It's a pain in the neck, apart from the fact I killed a few trees when I got it wrong, putting in some crusher dust that was too alkaline.

I use Searles Bonsai Mix and add some "water crystals" to prevent tree loss on hot, dry days.

Bear in mind, I only have big/gish trees. You can't use waterholding crystals if you have small trees. It will push the trees out of the pot when the crystals swell up.