Gardening Services Adelaide

Understanding Adelaide Soil & pH (Expanded Section)

Adelaide has a variety of soil types, and understanding your garden’s soil is key to growing healthy lawns and plants. The most common soil types in the region include:

• Sandy soil (coastal areas): Drains quickly but lacks nutrients and retains little moisture.
• Clay soil (hills & inner suburbs): Holds water but can become compact and hard in dry weather.
• Loam soil (ideal mix): The best balance of nutrients, drainage, and moisture retention.

How to Test your soil pH

Most lawns and garden plants thrive with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0–7.0).

• Simple test: Use a soil pH kit from your local nursery or mix soil with vinegar (bubbles = alkaline) or baking soda (bubbles = acidic).
• Adjusting pH: Add lime to raise pH (reduce acidity) or sulphur to lower pH (reduce alkalinity).

Improving soil for healthier gardens

• For sandy soil: Add compost, organic mulch, and slow-release fertilisers to retain nutrients.
• For clay soil: Apply gypsum to break up compaction and aerate the soil regularly.
• For better drainage: Raised garden beds or adding organic matter can help water flow.

Regular mulching, composting, and seasonal fertilisation ensure long-term soil health, making it easier to maintain lush gardens and thriving plants.

Lawn care: buffalo vs. other grass types in Adelaide

Adelaide’s hot summers and cool winters mean choosing the right lawn variety and maintaining it correctly is essential. Here’s a breakdown of the most common lawn types in Adelaide and how to care for them.

Common lawn types for Adelaide gardens

• Buffalo grass (Sir Walter, Palmetto, Sapphire)
  ✔ Soft underfoot, drought-tolerant, requires less mowing.
  ✔ Ideal for shaded areas but can handle sun.
  ✔ Fertilise every 3 months for deep green growth.
• Kikuyu grass
  ✔ Fast-growing, perfect for high-traffic areas like kids’ play spaces.
  ✔ Loves full sun but requires frequent mowing.
  ✔ Needs regular edging to prevent spreading into garden beds.
• Couch grass (Santa Ana, Nullarbor)
  ✔ A dense, fine-leaf grass, great for sports areas.
  ✔ Needs frequent mowing and sun exposure.
  ✔ Prone to scalping if cut too short—ideal height is 15mm–25mm.

Seasonal lawn care tips for Adelaide

✔ Spring & summer: Mow every 1–2 weeks; water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong roots.
✔ Autumn: Aerate the lawn and apply slow-release fertiliser for winter strength.
✔ Winter: Reduce mowing to once a month but keep weeds under control.

Proper lawn care keeps your grass lush and green year-round, whether you choose Buffalo, Kikuyu, or Couch.

Popular Adelaide plants & how to care for them 

Adelaide’s climate is hot and dry in summer, cool and wet in winter, meaning choosing hardy, drought-resistant plants is key. Here’s how to care for some of the most common and beautiful plants in local gardens.

Top easy-to-maintain plants in Adelaide

• Kangaroo Paw: Loves full sun; needs well-draining soil, prune spent flowers for better regrowth.
• Agapanthus: Hardy and drought-resistant; divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding.
• Citrus Trees (Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mandarin): Feed with citrus fertiliser in spring & summer; watch for citrus gall wasp.
• Grevilleas (Native plant): Low-maintenance and attracts birds; thrives in sandy soil with minimal watering.
• Lavender: Prefers full sun & well-drained soil; prune lightly after flowering to prevent woody growth.

Plant care tips for adelaide gardens

✔ Mulch well: Reduces evaporation, keeps roots cool in summer, and suppresses weeds.
✔ Water wisely: Deep watering once or twice a week is better than frequent light watering.
✔ Prune correctly: Some plants need pruning after flowering (like Kangaroo Paw), others in winter dormancy (like Roses).
✔ Choose local natives: These plants require less water, attract wildlife, and thrive in local conditions.

By choosing the right plants and maintaining them correctly, your Adelaide garden will stay beautiful and low-maintenance all year round.