Where can I use Sand Remedy™?
Sand Remedy™ needs to be dug into the top 10cm of soil (the root zone) to be effective.  Water it in well and re-cultivate. You can see the soil structure change immediately.  It can be carefully dug in around existing plants, and mixed with soil improvers. 

Sand Remedy™ works well in planting holes when you are putting in new plants (and has successfully been used in revegetation programs where native seedlings receive little or no follow up watering).  If using in planting holes, use Sand Remedy™ as approx. 5 - 10% (max) of the soil volume, mixing in as you plant rather than applying just at the base of the hole.

How long does Sand Remedy™ last?
The natural minerals in Sand Remedy are not soluble and will not leach away.  The minerals will be effective for many years.  We always recommend mulching your soil in the warmer months and building soil health with regular applications of organic matter (eg. compost and well rotted manures).

Sand Remedy ensures water and nutrients remain in the root zone rather than leaching into the groundwater and river systems.

Why is Sand Remedy™ better than using bentonite on its own?
Sand Remedy has been designed for ease of use, and maximum efficiency.  It is made up of a blend of 6 different ingredients - not JUST bentonite.  All of the different ingredients work together to optimise the growing conditions of the soil, in addition to helping overcome water repellency.  Sand Remedy provides a range of minerals and trace elements, which are not supplied to the soil by using bentonite on its own.  Elements included are: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Carbon, Magnesium, Sulphur, Silicon, Iron, Coppper, Zinc, Manganese, Boron, Cobalt, Molybdenum and Selenium in a balanced, slow release form.

In addition, Sand Remedy now incorporates microbes (including beneficial bacteria & fungi) and a microbial activator to encourage colonisation of beneficial microbes into the soil, which in turn promote better growing conditions and nutrient availability for your plants.

Bentonite can be used on it's own to just to improve soil water holding capacity but it is much harder to apply (it sticks to itself and forms lumps in the soil, rather than forming a bond with sand particles).  The carefully researched mixture of minerals in Sand Remedy stop this clumping; plus they all have additional benefits for your soil. 

Will Sand Remedy™ burn my plants?
No, Sand Remedy is completely safe to use around ALL plants, including phosphorous sensitive natives, acid loving plants, roses, fruit trees, ornamentals, shrubs, herbs vegetables, ferns and delicate plants including blueberries. It cannot ‘burn’ them.

Can I use Sand Remedy™ on lawns?
The best time to use Sand Remedy is when you are preparing to lay down a new lawn. Getting it into the soil (where it needs to be, to help with moisture retention in the root zone) is far easier before the lawn is established. If you have an existing lawn, it is a little bit more difficult, but it can be done. Using an aerating tool or fork, make holes in the lawn. Sprinkle Sand Remedy over the top of the grass, then water in well. This will help it to infiltrate into the base of the lawn. Top dressing can then be applied over the top, if required. If you have particularly water repellent patches, repeat the application in those selected spots.

I’ve been told to use kitty litter - isn’t that the same?
Some people advocate the use of kitty litter as a water absorbency tool in the soil, due to its relative low cost. Some kitty litter products are made from clumps of attapulgite clay (which is a sub-group of bentonite clay), others are made from recycled paper, or gel crystals. Check the packaging to make sure there are no additives or ‘fillers’ which will not be of any use. (Although due to its intended use, most packages have very little information about what they consist of.)

Due to kitty litter consisting of quite large ‘grains’, it is quite easy to use. However, this coarser structure also makes it a little less effective as a result. Generally, the finer the particles (of clay) the larger the surface area, and therefore the greater absorbancy. 

Kitty litter has its advantages, the biggest one being price. It is a cheap way of using something in the soil to increase its water holding ability. 

Of course, we believe Sand Remedy will give you better results, due to its unique mixture of beneficial minerals. Why not test it out for yourself!

Can I use Sand Remedy™ anytime?
Yes, Sand Remedy can be used winter/summer and any time in between. To make the job easier, it is often an idea to apply it while you are topping up garden beds with organic matter or before mulching.

Is Sand Remedy a fertiliser?
Sand Remedy contains rock dust, which provides trace elements to the soil, and contains other minerals which make nutrients readily available to plants. However, it is not a fertiliser on its own. We always recommend improving your soil with organic matter (compost, aged manures, etc.) and for a boost, fertilisers like blood and bone or liquid fertilisers like fish emulsion and seaweed formulas are great to use in the main growing seasons.  Sand Remedy actually helps make fertilisers more efficient, and reduces leaching of nutrients through sandy soil and into our water ways, helping to reduce toxic algal blooms.

Is Sand Remedy safe to use on plants we eat?
Sand Remedy is Certified Organic by NASAA (National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia), and has been tested for contaminants like pesticides, and heavy metals. Our certification involves on-going testing and strict manufacturing processes, for consistent quality.  There is absolutely no withholding period for consuming vegetables or fruit grown in areas treated with Sand Remedy.

Is Sand Remedy safe to use around my family and pets?
All of the minerals used in Sand Remedy are non-toxic.  However, Sand Remedy is a mixture of crushed minerals and is a powdered product.  We recommend you avoid using it in windy conditions, and wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling particles.  It is advisable to keep pets and children away when applying Sand Remedy, to avoid exposing them to dust.