Topsoil- Opportunity to get 300 Cubic Metres

Discussion in 'Designing, building, making and powering your life' started by jdaley, May 23, 2016.

  1. jdaley

    jdaley Junior Member

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    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Climate:
    Meditaranen
    An opportunity has arisen to get heaps of good topsoil, unadulterated. I have a property in Bendigo where the natural soil is very sparse. I am considering laying it on top of the land about 600mm del and ensuring good drainage.
    I want to establish and orchard 20=30 trees, a chook area 1/2 acre and a vege patch.
    I have the ability to use a bobcat to move the soil and equipment to build fencing to keep kangaroos out.
    Are there any problems I may encounter, is 600mm deep enough?
    Thank you
     
  2. songbird

    songbird Senior Member

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    Occupation:
    gardening, reading, etc
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    near St. Charles, MI, USoA
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    -15C-35C, 10cm rain/mo, clay, full sun, K-G Dfa=x=Dfb
    how is your existing drainage? make sure that is set up before piling
    a lot of dirt on top of it. if you need some french drains or tubes it
    is much easier to do that before you put the other stuff on top...
    also any other utility runs (conduit, electric or water pipes).

    sounds great! anything is better than nothing. i would concentrate it
    where you will be growing your deepest rooted veggies and perhaps
    keep a stockpile too for future projects.

    i would also make sure that it is protected by mulch, tarp or cover
    crops. that no water will wash it away (or heavy rains). downslope
    from that would also be a good spot to have a swale to capture nutrients
    and any topsoil that happens to move. windbreak! must have it
    protected from the wind too...

    when bringing in soil/topsoil or any material really there is always a
    chance for weed seeds in there to kick off a problem. which is why
    you want to make sure it is planted or covered asap. buckwheat
    works well around here.

    otherwise congrats on such a find! :)
     
  3. jdaley

    jdaley Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Meditaranen
    Drainage is not an issue I believe, the area will be about 30m across and the natural soil falls about 300mm over that distance, but I will check. The tip about the weeds is something I will, need to note. The area will have a 6 foot chain fence around to exclude kangaroos, so I can add windbreaks to that prior to shrubs growing up. Water is always an issue here.
    I am thinking of mixing Pea straw with it as I level it out to build humus, any ideas better?
    thanks
     

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