Author: timlester

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Keith Edwards – Soil & Soil Additives

Time & Location

07 Oct, 11:30 am – 12:10 pm

Bolobek, Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon VIC 3441, Australia

 

About the event

We’re thrilled to welcome the remarkable Keith Edwards as our guest speaker for Saturday, October 7th, at 11:30am during the Garden Lovers’ Fair.

With an incredible 40 years of experience in the landscape and gardening industry, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge to the stage. He’s worn many hats over the years – from landscape design and construction to managing the Diggers Club and overseeing massive displays at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.

 

Keith’s passion lies in designing garden landscapes inspired by the likes of Edna Walling and Gertrude Jekyll.

His landscape plans are rooted in soil modifications and amendments, making gardens flourish.

But that’s not all – Keith is an expert in edible gardens. Most of his clients request elements of edible landscapes, with some even opting for full-fledged working edible gardens. He’s a master of raised vegetable beds that seamlessly blend function with ornamental beauty. Think espaliered fruit trees, multi-grafted wonders, and walls adorned with evergreen citrus.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from a true garden visionary. Book your tickets to the Garden Lovers’ Fair via our website.

https://www.gardenloversfair.com.au/event-details/keith-edwards-soil-soil-additives

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Phosphate Price Hikes

Phosphate fertiliser prices are once again extreme. This effects super phosphate, single super, triple super, MAP, DAP, MKP, etc pricing and availability. Supply and demand determines prices but these increases are mainly on the supply side. The war in Ukraine has caused sanctions on Russia further limiting the number of suppliers in the world market. Morocco basically controls the world price as the world has under invested for decades in developing phosphate mines.

The ABC just did a video below but I have a few issues with the reporting.

1/ Australian soils have large reserves of phosphate but they are often in plant unavailable forms.

2/ Using tax player funding to build infrastructure isn’t moral or wise as the price will correct at some stage and we are a high cost producer.

3/ Rock phosphate may never become plant available. You need extensive microbial activity (labile carbon and moisture) and/or low soil pH to release the phosphate. Applying to dead soil is a total waste of resources/capital.

A more sustainable solution that requires no tax payer funding is mycorrhizal fungi as that can help unlock existing phosphate reserves. Even better than mycorrhizal fungi is implementing a cover crop strategy if possible.