Month: April 2021

On a roadworks project near Brisbane recently, tonnes of topsoil were imported in an effort to quickly establish vegetation on a low carbon, low-nutrient subsoil. It didn’t go exactly to plan. 

You can clearly see in the video below an area where vegetation started to grow but struggled to flourish and eventually died. Project managers wondered how this could happen when the same imported topsoil was used site-wide, along with the same hydromulch, seed blend and fertiliser.

Was it the hydromulch, something in the soil, or maybe even a pesticide? Had something toxic washed off from the road? It was anyone’s guess until extensive soil tests were conducted.

Not only did we perform a typical nutrient soil test on both the struggling and healthy site areas, we also tested for heavy metals that would point to a pesticide or other contaminant.

When the results came in

An in-depth study showed that the struggling area had multiple mineral imbalances (notably exchangeable sodium that was much too high; exchangeable potassium that was too low) and soil carbon levels that were unacceptably low – so low that it could not sustain good seed strike or establish crop cover.

We concluded that until excess salts were leached from the topsoil, vegetation would struggle. So how did everything get so out of whack? Where did all that sodium come from? That’s the million dollar question and the short answer is we can only presume it came from the imported topsoil, which was sourced from the same supplier as the better-quality topsoil medium.

To minimise the risk of this sort of thing happening, it’s very important to monitor and test any imported soil prior to application. The first reaction on site is nearly always to suspect the revegetation contractor of doing something wrong, which is of course possible, but we would go so far as to say that in 99% of cases something else is to blame. The imported topsoil certainly was in this case..

For a comprehensive topsoil quality assessment and treatment program, get in touch with the experts at EnviroStraw.

EnviroStraw’s latest webinar on optimising revegetation of highly disturbed soils on mine sites and construction sites is now available online any time.

In this 20-minute session, leading soil scientist Paul Storer explains how even the most depleted soils can be effectively revegetated through innovative soil health management practices and enhanced microbial activity.

The presentation also highlights the environmental benefits of using soil microbiology and regenerative revegetation practices.

Our video gives viewers an understanding of how to:

• Rebuild soil health for long term self-sustainability
• Condition challenging soils correctly to support microbial activity
• Inoculate soil with a specially selected suite of beneficial bacteria and fungi
• Implement a hydraulic revegetation program including award-winning** Biotic Soil Amendments to trigger and sustain beneficial microbes.

EnviroStraw specialises in supplying high-quality, independently tested and outcome-focused products to the erosion control industry, and we’re delighted to introduce two new EnviroBond long-term storm-guard polymers for soil stabilisation and dust control.

EnviroBond Green

The same great product as the original EnviroBond, EnviroBond Green has the added benefit of long-term green colouring. EnviroBond Green provides exceptional soil stabilisation properties, with application rates starting at as low as 700 litres per hectare – making it a very economical alternative to other products on the market. EnviroBondGreen is available now in IBCs and 20-litre jugs. Find out more

EnviroBond Grow

Again, this is the same great product as the original EnviroBond, with our advanced, long-term environmentally friendly natural liquid fertiliser and the added benefit of macro and micro-nutrients. This product is optimised for seed germination including native species –  providing a long-term outcome and available now in both IBCs and 20-litre jugs. Find out more

EnviroBond Green application

Why should you use EnviroBond on your next project

• Environmentally friendly.
• Independently tested.
• Lower cost, with reduced application rates.
• Can be applied via water truck.
• Guaranteed non-harmful to expensive pump seals.
• Slows overland water-flow, therefore reducing erosion. 
• Grass seed can be included for vegetation establishment.
• Native seed friendly.
• Suitable for all soil types.
• Forms a 3D honeycomb matrix in the soil, providing increased soil-binding properties.
• Includes UV stabilisers for increased longevity.
• Includes flocculants for improved soil penetration.
• Suitable for dust control in non-traffic areas.
• Bio-friendly – won’t harm soil microbiology.
• Improves water-holding capacity of the soil, for improved seed strike and vegetation establishment.
• Contractors no longer have to buy a soil-stabilising polymer from their competition.

EnviroBond achieved outstanding C-Factor results under extreme tropical rain conditions

• 125-135mm rain event  C-Factor 0.001
• 135-145mm rain event  C- Factor 0.01
• 145-200mm rain event  C-Factor  0.01

EnviroBond reduces and slows water-flow by allowing water to permeate through the polymer membrane into the soil – significantly slowing overland flow and providing increased erosion control.

Jar collection from lab testing demonstrating the reduced water catchment from reduced water runoff. Once the soil was fully hydrated, runoff increased.          

“I’ve never seen a polymer reduce overland flow-rates under rain simulation testing before” –  a lab technician, during independent testing.

To find out how our range of EnviroBond products can help your project, contact us today.

In less than a decade, EnviroStraw has grown from humble beginnings to become a market leader in Australia’s erosion control and revegetation industry.

Since the start, our focus has been on developing world-leading innovative products – harnessing Australian renewable resources that are easy-to-use and achieve the desired outcome on any project. Nine years on and EnviroStraw has brought huge innovation to the Australian revegetation and erosion control industry – developing unique products and winning three International Erosion Control Association awards for Innovation.

GeoSpray – a world-first, spray-on erosion control membrane – won the 2015 IECA Innovation award as a cost-effective, reliable way to control erosion for steep slopes, drains, and on any soil type, providing up to ten years’ protection of the treatment area.

EnviroStraw Hydraulic Growth Media Hydromulch won the 2015 IECA Innovation award, as the first hydromulch manufactured in Australia from a thermally processed straw fibre with included soil conditioners. 

All-in-one bag product EnviroMatrix Erosion Control Matrix and Biotic Growth Amendment won the 2020 IECA award for Innovation – the first of this product-type to be manufactured in Australia using Australian renewable resources.

Regenerative revegetation program Biogrowth is a true revolution in the erosion control industry. Looking at soil from a microbial standpoint and balancing any soil type to enhance microbial activity, it delivers a self-sustaining and long-term outcome in the same way nature does. 

As well as our product success, EnviroStraw now operates its own manufacturing facility that supports local communities in Yarrawonga, Victoria and is where we manufacture our straw-based range of hydromulch products. We also partner with a manufacturer in Gympie to  bag and manufacture our GeoSpray and range of erosion-control polymers – again, providing support to these small farming communities. 

EnviroStraw products have been used on mine sites, road projects and other construction sites across Australia – providing exceptional outcomes wherever they’re used. Happily for all our customers, EnviroStraw products have all been independently tested for efficacy – ensuring they perform to the highest standards across the board.