western-queensland-gardening-guide.pdf - South West NRM

Suitable species
This is a big subject and certainly in the ABC Radio listening area there is a big range
of soils. In general the pH level is high (which is called alkaline). The soil types vary
from heavy clay, light clay, sandy clay through to the so-called red country. I would
consider gardening in the red country to be like living in heaven. All this soil
variation brings problem of dryness, water problems and hot winds (and sometimes
cold wind). My opinion of wind is that if you have everything else right (species,
etc) wind can be of benefit in strengthening your plants.
The best way to select species that will grow for you is to look around your area at
what is doing well, whether it be at Roma, Cunnamulla, Longreach, Hughenden,
Birdsville, the Gulf, Alpha or anywhere in between.
at size tree or shrub to plant
I favour so-called tube stock. These are a 2 inch x 4 inch pot which helps develop a
strong root structure. They suit planting straight into the ground and they are
cheaper to buy and transport.
Some people walking into a nursery want a tree yesterday (or the week before) so
they buy the tallest in a big pot for fifteen times the price of a tube. Particularly with
natives, these plants can only get so big by being in pots too long. A native naturally
wants to get its roots down, but in a pot they can only go round and round. With the
Longreach Council I have planted a tube beside an advanced plant and the tube has
gone on to be a ten times better plant.
at size hole to dig
There is a theory that you need to dig a big hole and fill it with good soil and plant
your tree. I must admit that in some cases this works. Particularly if the hole is big
enough and there is reasonable sub-surface drainage; but in reality the filled hole
acts like a big pot and the plant spends its life in this restricted introduced material.
1 like, where possible, to rip and cross-rip new planting areas. If a grader cannot be
used a post hole digger often can, but, as you know, the sides are often compacted
and made so hard that roots cannot penetrate easily. The solution is to dig several
holes as close together as possible and push the undug areas in with a crowbar and
then shovel all the dirt back in the hole. With experience you will find species most
suited to your hole preparation technique (or lack of it).