Soil Science & Urban Horticulture

SESL’s team of qualified soil and horticultural scientists provide a comprehensive range of services for clients including on-site investigation, project management, scientific reporting, soil manufacturing, specifications and rehabilitation. At SESL, we are experts in all things soil science and will ensure the highest degree of professionalism to ensure your project success.

Urban Horticulture

SESL’s soil science team share a vast experience in the urban landscaping and horticultural industry. Our team has extensive experience and background knowledge in urban production and ornamental horticulture disciplines. We have distinct knowledge on green wall and green roof landscaping, city parks and street trees, allotment gardening and more.

Soil Design for Manufacture

Designing soils for manufacture is a science. SESL can provide specialist advice on any soil type, designed for any end-use. SESL can assess the manufactured soils against the latest specification or Australian Standard to ensure that performance will be optimised. SESL can provide manufacturing advice for many soil types, including;

Soil design in accordance with AS4419, QLD MRTS 16, ACT Topsoil 09A or your preferred bespoke soil specification.
Topdressing and turf underlay
Green wall, green roof and on-slab lightweight Soils
Structural Soils
Wetland Soils
High Performance Sportsfield Soils
Water Sensitive Urban Design Soils (WSUD), raingarden/biofilitration
Subsoils
Potting Mixes to AS 3743
Compost to AS4454

Bespoke Soil Specification Design, Validation & Quality Assurance

Bespoke soil specifications design for your project is an excellent tool to ensure landscaping and construction contractors meet the minimum requirements for the successful installation of a landscaped environment. A well-designed specification takes into consideration the availability of on-site resources, as well as resources available in the local market in the vicinity of the project, planting palette and landscape typology.

The ideal specification will achieve this, while considering the cost of sourcing to ensure the soil meets the demands of the landscape, without costing the developer more than is necessary.

Primary Industry Horticulture

SESL’s soil science team also share experience in the horticultural industry. Our team has extensive experience and background knowledge in urban production and ornamental horticulture disciplines. The Soil Science team can provide a range of services in the horticultural industry. Taking a ground-up approach, SESLs soil scientists investigate from the soil to the leaf tip when consulting in horticultural industries. SESL can assist in a range of horticultural services, including:

• Irrigation water quality and scheduling

• Advice for soil performance or failure
• Hydroponic nutrient solution/fertigation formulation and scheduling
• Potting medium quality and formulation
• Disease identification and treatment
• Soil improvement for horticultural production

Racetracks & Sportsfields

CANVAS PRINT RANDWICK (94 × 64 cm)_edite

Sports fields and Race tracks across Australia are constantly under pressure to perform. At SESL, we understand all too well the need for a sports field or racetrack to be in top shape come game or race day.SESL can provide advice and management plans for sports fields and race tracks. Our team of soil scientists draw from their past experiences and in-depth knowledge of soils to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. From the design and specification of new fields and tracks, through to management and amelioration of 100+ year-old fields and tracks, our team has you covered. SESL has extensive experience in the challenges and complications of sports fields and tracks and uses soil chemistry and physics to meet their individual needs.

Soil Resource Survey & Reuse Management

Topsoil in Australia is a limited, finite resource – one that has taken millions of years to form. As such, it should be utilised to the fullest potential, especially on development sites. The successful recovery and reuse of soil resources on-site can significantly reduce the cost of development, minimising the need for both offsite disposal and soil importation.

SESL Australia can develop a detailed topsoil stripping and reuse plan for any proposed development site. By assessing topsoil and subsoil resources and identifying amelioration requirements, these plans help our clients to maximise soil recovery, allowing them to reuse what they have, rather than pay to replace it. Our detailed plans also help to minimise topsoil deficits at project closure.

SESL has specially trained staff skilled in site specific surveying of soil resources for Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land (BSAL), Land and Soil Capability (LSC) classification and mapping. SESL can provide additional advice surrounding the suitability and management of soil within the production areas of individual properties.

Mine Revegetation & Rehabilitation

Soil rehabilitation prior to revegetation is critical to ensure the success of plantings. A deep understanding of soil science is essential in devising a successful rehabilitation plan and this is where SESL’s expertise comes into play.

Geotechnical reports will never provide your contractors with enough detail to ensure a rehabilitation project is successful. We can help you to justify the technical differences, assisting to demonstrate the time and cost savings associated with proper soil management.