High Quality Bentonite For Your Home & Garden

Soils of the Swan coastal plain are poorly structured sandy soils with low levels of clay and organic matter.

​

This contributes to the poor soil structure, low fertility, poor wettability, low water holding capacity and poor nutrient retention capacity.

​

Sandy soils can be improved by the addition of clay and organic materials.

​

Bentonite Products WA bentonite clays are available as granules, which can be easily supplied to new soil, garden beds or new lawns or onto established lawns.

​

To improve the soil quality it may be necessary to add clay, rates of 1-3 % will have very beneficial effects on soil quality and plant growth and yield.

​

For most gardens it is necessary to treat only the top 20 cm of soil, which is the root zone. Recommended clay addition rates are shown in Table 1.

​

Incorporating organic matter like compost into the soil with the clay is also recommended. The combination of organic matter and clay will assist the improved structure, chemistry and biological activity of the soil.

​

How To Use On Your Garden: New or renovated gardens, lawns and vegetable beds.

Spread clay granules over surface of cleared soil at rate of 6 kg per m2. Spread compost over soil at recommended rates at the same time. Mix this into soil to depth of 150-200 mm.

​

Garden soil improver

Bentonite clay as a soil improver for gardens and horticulture

​

​

​

​

​

Established gardens

Sprinkle granules onto surface and incorporate into soil profile to 150 mm as much as possible.

 

For these applications it is better to use lower addition rates but repeat the process to reach optimal clay content. Adding high levels of clay and not mixing these in well will result in clumping and waterproofing of the soil surface.

​

Established lawns

You will need to add small amounts of clay granules onto lawn surface and water these in.

 

Do this in small increments; repeat the application as required until an improvement in soil retention and soil wetting is observed. Adding too much clay at once will result in clumping of clay and formation of a clay film, which can seal the surface to water and will be sticky underfoot.

​

Potting mixes

Modern potting mixes are lightweight and free draining which can be a problem with outside pot plants on our hot dry days.

 

Some potting mixes have added synthetic water retention aids, so may not need clay with these. Adding clay to potting mix will improve water retention and reduce wilting on hot days due to water loss. Clay also aids nutrient retention and will improve plant growth and vigour. Add clay granules to loose potting mix when establishing new pots. Recommended addition rates of 0.5-1 kg clay granules per 25 L bag.

​

Established pots or plants in garden beds

Make up a slurry of clay in water ~10 % dry weight, 1 kg per 10 l bucket. Add clay to water, mix with flat stirrer or paint mixer on electric drill.

 

Allow to stand for few hours or overnight, this allows the clay granules to hydrate properly. Remix and pour over the pot surface or around the drip line of garden plants. Recommended addition rate 5 litres for large pot or medium size garden plant. 10-20 L per m2 for garden beds or large established plants and fruit trees.

​

​

​

​