Hi i dont claim to be a top gardener but i try.Are u in Karratha?? if u are
there is a few things u can do.One is organic matter.Leaves mulched tree
trunks,anything like that....Even sea weed ( i cant remember much of it
maybe sea grass.)Anything like that.Under trees and shrubs u can "plant" a
fish carcass.There is heaps of them up there.Or a dead roo but people kinda
complain!!!! dont know why......um look at others gardens and dont be scared
to ask them how they did it.I almost envy you,i love Karratha ( dampier
actually) after working up there but had to come home for the family.All the
best and let us know how u go.PS plant a mango tree, they do grow up
there!!!!!!
"Andrew G" wrote in message
...
"Sue" wrote in message
.. .
Hi guys,

I need some help/advice. I am a bit of a novice when it comes to
soil
composition and all of that technical stuff but I do love to garden and
have
just left a really wonderful one in Perth to start again in the Pilbara.
The soil here is what they call Pindan it is like a very red heavy clay
when
wet and concrete when dry. Our water is full of calcium and leaves
everywhere white (you may need to know this).

Being a clay soil, a lot of gypsum (aka clay breaker) dug into the
gardens,
then watered in.
This will be a start.
Not sure on the calcium factor, and how that will affect plants.

I would like to give my
plants the best possible opportunity to grow but there is limited access
to
manure etc due to our remote location, I can only really buy bags of
manure
in the local supermarket!! Would say cow manure be better than chook
or
Dynamic Lifter? I intent to plant a heap of palms since they appear to
be
the plant of choice up here.

Dynamic lifter is only a fertiliser, and won't add bulk to the soil.
Cow manure would be better. I remember my father used to collect cow pats
(or pads??) from the property that weren't fresh, but not too old either,
enough to stay together when picked up, and moist inside. He would place
them all over the top off his Camellia gardens, so they acted as a mulch
and
fertiliser. After a while he would dig them into the soil, and it would
make
the soil very rich. But being able to only buy it from a supermarket, that
could get quite costly for you. Some would be good though..
Another alternative would be to buy the cheapest bags of potting mix
available. Dig/mix this in with the clay soil, and it will make it better
and more aerated.


A few more things that might help.

Rainfall - under 300mm per year.
Temp Ave. Summer 35 + Winter 25 - Summer is about 8 months
or
more long!!
Access only to what the Kmart sells.
Possible access to some mulch from the tip.

The mulch will definitely be a help in holding moisutre in the soil. Also
it
will keep the roots of the plants cool.

At the moment the garden is in a new home with absolutely no
existing shade.

Plant some trees around, to give the garden and house some shade. This
will
allow a wider range of plants to be planted in the future. That of course
is
if that's what you want.

Probably the best option is to take a look around at other houses/gardens,
and see what they have planted. See what catches your eye, and give it a
go.
Even ask people with plants you like.
Do you have a local Nursery. They would also be of great help.


Good luck with it all.
Positive type advice appreciated, as I am really trying to make the most
of
what I have here and I know its going to be hard going!!

Happy New year all.

Sue
Karratha Western Australia.