Soil Works

At Supagreen we have extensive knowledge to perform all aspects of soil works for our clients. We have partnered up with some of the industry’s best and are able to provide services such as soil testing, screening and amelioration. We are able to consult with our clients and work out exactly what is required for the project. With extensive knowledge pertaining to mains roads specifications we can provide cost affective outcomes managing your soil. Using site soil when managed properly has many benefits for your project. Saves money on exporting and tip fees let alone purchasing new soil that is not endemic to the local environment. Site soil can harbour extensive seed banks of native vegetation that will with supplementary treatments assist in rehabilitating the site with local species which will assist with the areas natural ecosystems being restored much faster great for both Flora and Fauna as well as local residents and community groups.

We can also place soil with sub grade preparation as required including incorporation of soil conditioners and fertilizers at the correct quantities recommended by our soil scientist after testing.

Screening

Screening is the sifting or sieving of various materials, including dirt and construction rubble, drain sludge, compost, gravel or sand, to reduce or decontaminate waste and create useable, even saleable products

Amelioration

screening and ameliorating (adding mix-ins) at the same time, avoiding double handling. We also deal with clay soils, wet and bulky materials.

Our expert soil scientists (or your own, if preferred) can recommend ameliorants and ratios to improve your site to AS4419 or MRTS16B standard.

Soil Testing

Revegetation of roadsides is an important final step in road construction. In Queensland, works on public roads need to follow the Main Roads Technical Specification (MRTS) 16 Landscape and Revegetation Works

Before we can give you exact pricing, we need a soil test and amelioration (mix-in) recommendations. We will recommend a soil scientist or work with your existing soil scientist if you prefer.

Ripping

Deep ripping (deep tillage) involves the use of strong deep working tines that penetrate the compacted soil and mechanically break up and shatter the soil hard pan.

For deep ripping to be effective:

  • The ripping tines must be able to penetrate just below the compacted soil layer
  • Soil must be moist enough to allow penetration of the ripping tines but not so moist that the tines cause smearing without fracturing and shattering the soil.

Some firming of the soil surface by a roller or soil packer behind the deep ripper can be beneficial to avoid sowing too deep on soft, deep ripped soil. A roller or soil packer behind the deep ripper or attaching wings behind the tines can minimise the risk of a rough soil surface and soil softness causing uneven seeding depth and crop establishment.

Loosened soils can be more susceptible to compaction after deep ripping if not managed carefully. It is thus recommended to leave deep ripped soil to settle for at least two weeks before sowing.

Traditionally deep rippers rip the soil with tines all set to the same depth which have to penetrate and fracture the soil to full working depth. Research has shown, however, that single shallow leading tines working in-line and ahead of the deep ripping tine reduce the draft force by up to 18% with the leading tine working at 10cm on clay-textured soil.

Cultivation

Soil cultivation is a practice which is designed to improve the condition of the soil prior to establishing crops or decorative plants. Cultivation is an important step in gardening or farming which can determine whether or not plants will thrive. Some soil needs minimal cultivation before planting, while other soil may need to be worked intensely. Gardeners and farmers determine what type of cultivation the soil needs by examining it, and some also send out samples for soil analysis to learn about the specific composition of the soil.

One of the most common reasons to practice soil cultivation is to address soil which has become compacted. Soils tend to compact naturally over time, but this is bad for plants, as they may have difficulty growing and accessing nutrients. Soil can be quickly and simply loosened by digging to a set depth, as many home gardeners do when preparing vegetable beds, and it can also be ploughed or tilled. While the soil is loosened, gardeners can also pull out rocks, sticks, and other materials in the soil which could inhibit the growth of plants.

Soil cultivation can also include adding soil amendments to improve the health of the soil. Compost is a classic and widely used example of a soil amendment, added to the soil with the goal of making it more rich. Other soil amendments can include sand, for plants which like sandy soil, straw or moss to help the soil hold moisture, and fertilizers. It may take several years of building soil up with soil amendments to obtain the desired texture and composition.

People also practice soil cultivation while crops are growing. It is important to make sure that soil is aerated throughout the growing season, and additives such as mulch can be used to protect the soil while crops are growing, in addition to providing protection to the roots of crops. Fertilizers may also be periodically added to the soil during the growing season at key times to encourage plants to thrive.

It is possible to cultivate soil too much. If the soil is pulverized, it tends to become more compact, because it has no structure to support aeration. Over fertilization during soil cultivation can result in runoff of fertilizer, which in addition to being wasteful is also harmful to the environment. Working soil while it is wet may also be harmful, as it can damage the structure of the soil and contribute to compaction.