Nelson Agricultural & Landscaping Services

Our Services

Services we offer

Soil Aeration

Growth rate of the grass thus an improvement in its ability to withstand and recover from pedestrian use
Ability of water and fertilizer to penetrate to the grass roots
Increase soil’s absorption rate from irrigation
Promote root growth activity contributing to the strength and health of the grass
Increase the ability of bacteria present in the soil to break down and decompose the thatch layer thus increasing the soils ability to hold sufficient amounts of moisture between waterings
Ability for grass to withstand low water situations and heat stress

Chisel Ploughing

Chisel plough are used to shatter but not turn or move the soil.
They work on the same principle as rippers, but in the top 30 cm of the soil.
The soil must be dry to moist, otherwise the plough will smear and seal the soil surfaces.

Ripping

The subsoiler is a tillage tool which will improve growth in all crops where soil compaction is a problem. Rippers or subsoilers break up compacted soil below the depth reached by conventional cultivation, to improve drainage and aeration, allowing the filtering of surface water down through the profile avoiding ponding and allowing moisture to be stored for use during dry periods.

Most have slanted tines or a sharply angled leading point to lessen the power required to pull the ripper. This design also helps lift and shatter the subsoil so that any compacted layer is broken up.

Soil should be reasonably dry when it is ripped. Ripping wet soil does not shatter the subsoil and can smear and seal the soil beside the ripper tine. Smeared surfaces prevent air, water and roots moving through the soil.

Disc Cultivators

Mainly used for

Stubble mulching
Breaking up cloddy ground
Assist fertilizer dispersal
Fire breaks
Lime incorporation

Fertilizer Application / Spreading

The seed or fertilizer is distributed evenly and accurately.
Ideal for:

Lawn feeding
Small farm fertilizing
Golf course
School and industrial seeding
Spreading

Rotary Hoe

Rotary Hoe can be tractor mounted or self propelled (walk behind).
Rotary hoe aerate the soil and provide a fine seedbed
Ideal for fine tilling of soil prior to planting
Also used for soil stabilisation

Slashing

Grass and weed control
Estate grass care
Pasture topping
General farm maintenance slashing
Roadside maintenance
Heavy scrub regrowth control
Fire breaks

Soil Improvement

Organic matter releases nutrients that are absorbed by microorganisms and bacteria. The combination waste products and their remains are called humus which binds with soil particles. In clay, it forces apart & drainage is improved making it easier for plant roots to grow through the soil.

If the soil is dense and compacted, the plant’s energy is wasted struggling with roots trying to grow through. By aerating the soil, you will help with root growth and as a result happier, healthier plants.

Most plants prefer a neutral soil, but some prefer slightly acid or alkaline conditions you can adjust the pH levels by adding lime to make soil more alkaline and adding sulfur to make it more acidic.

Mulching

A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil. Its purpose is any or all of the following:

to conserve moisture
to improve the fertility and health of the soil
to reduce weed growth
to enhance the visual appeal of the area
to ensure temperature stability

A mulch is usually but not exclusively organic in nature. It may be permanent (e.g. plastic sheeting, pebbles) or temporary (e.g. bark, wood chips, leaf mulch).

It may be applied to bare soil, or around existing plants. Mulches of manure or compost will be incorporated naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms.

Plant / Tree selection

It is very important to select the correct plant for the correct area. The most common mistake made is not realising how wide or tall the selected plant, shrub or tree will grow in a few years time.

When deciding where to plant trees keep in mind the outcome when the tree has grown. Are the roots going to cause a problem, is it going to remove the sunlight from specific areas and is the soil stable enough to support the fully grown tree.

The right plants or trees make all the difference to the total look of the garden and in the long term save you time and money. Look for plants that tolerate the area destined for them and if you are not keen on regular maintenance select hardy or drought resistant types.

Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

Localised irrigation is a system where water is distributed under low pressure through a piped network, in a pre-determined pattern, and applied as a small discharge to each plant or adjacent to it.

In sprinkler or overhead irrigation, water is piped to one or more central locations within the field and distributed by overhead high-pressure sprinklers or guns.

Fertiliser

Fertilizers are commonly used for growing all crops, with application rates depending on the soil fertility.

The main "organic fertilisers" are, in ranked order, peat, animal wastes, plant wastes from agriculture, and sewage sludge.

Careful fertilisation technologies are important because excess nutrients can be as detrimental. Fertiliser burn can occur when too much fertiliser is applied, resulting in drying out of the leaves and damage or even death of the plant.