After extreme weather conditions, it’s time to help your garden grow again
With an exceptionally wet summer, particularly along Australia’s east coast that saw devastating floods and severe waterlogging, and a rather cold winter, our gardens are in need of some tender loving care. While some plants have enjoyed these conditions and are now growing exponentially, for many, they will need some additional support to bloom this spring.
According to Brisbane gardening expert Kate Wall, some plants have literally drowned. “Plant roots need air to breathe, but the excessive rain has caused waterlogging with devastating impacts on our gardens. Waterlogging occurs when all of the air spaces in the soil are filled with water, with prolonged waterlogging causing root damage. Plants will drop leaves or wilt when they have root damage and can no longer take up water from the soil. These plants need to be nurtured now if they’re going to survive.”
Many people think that using a garden fork to poke holes in the ground, or hiring someone to aerate your lawn using a specialised machine, will help get air back into the soil and return it back to normal. While this can help, the action of walking over already-waterlogged soil or using machinery on it can add to the problem by compacting the soil, further reducing the number of air pockets below. Kate says the best solution is a product from Earthlife called Garden Mate.
Easy application
Garden Mate is a fast-acting clay breaker with no need to dig it in — just add water. It rapidly breaks the hydrophobic crust, allowing water penetration while also improving the water-holding capacity of the soil. The high levels of silica in the product make it extremely effective at opening up all types of compacted soils, without risk of harm to your plants if you use too much. “Many other products can burn your plants if applied too strongly, but Garden Mate gives you peace of mind,” says Kate.
All natural
Safe for people, pets and your garden, Garden Mate is a 100 per cent natural garden soil and plant conditioner containing more than 60 mineral elements including rare earths and plant available silica, natural rock phosphate, and over 30 beneficial microbe and fungi species.
Suitable for organic gardeners, this is a safe and all-natural alternative to gypsum, lime and dolomite, with a lot more bang for your buck. “It’s not just plant roots that have drowned in waterlogged soils; much of the soil biota has drowned too,” says Kate. “This includes earthworms and all sorts of critical microorganisms that bring life to soil and health to plants. Garden Mate can replenish these microbes.”
Visible improvement
Improvements can be seen in just two to three weeks after proper application, and for best results, it is recommended the initial application be repeated after four to six weeks, with a lighter application three to four months later. What you will end up with is a softer soil with improved drainage, aeration and nutrient content in a very short period of time. By increasing the mineral content of the soil, it means plants become more robust and better able to withstand future adverse weather events.
Save your garden
If you’ve been looking at your plants wondering why they’re dying, waterlogging might be the reason. If this is the case, it’s something you need to act on quickly, before the roots are damaged beyond repair. The incredible team at Earthlife have already donated 10 tonnes of Garden Mate to regions impacted by flooding. It’s not magic, but it is science. By applying Garden Mate to waterlogged areas, you can save your garden and keep enjoying it for years to come. Garden Mate can be purchased online and is available in 2.5kg, 12kg and 22kg sizes.
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