GARDEN & LANDSCAPING MATERIALS
Garden & Landscaping Materials In Gladstone
Soils
Topsoil, Garden Blend, Organic Topsoil, Sandy Loam
Good quality soil is a hot topic for Gladstone gardeners and landscapers alike. Locals find that our region’s existing base soil is not particularly great. It is often too acidic, rock solid and lacks the nutrients required for successful lawns and gardens. You can be guaranteed that the soils that we have at Dirt Cheap will help improve your new or established gardens, lawns and veggie patches alike. We have a range of soils that includes budget soil, sandy loam for lawns, premium garden blend for all-round garden planting and rich nutrient dense mixes for herbs & vegetables. You are welcome to come into our yard for a look and discuss what would work best for your gardening needs.
Garden Blend
Our blend is produced and mixed in accordance with Australian Standard AS4419, and is nutrient filled, with organic matter added to give your plants a growing boost. It is great for new or established gardens, can be used under new turf and is ideal for use in veggie patches. Flowers will flourish and your veggies will produce a great yield. Available for pick-up and delivery.
Sandy Loam
Sandy Loam is a mixture of topsoil and sand which has been put through a process of screening to remove any large particles. This makes it an ideal top dressing mix for any grass, and it can also be used as a turf underlay. It is widely used for top dressing existing lawns as it fills in the gaps, helps your lawn grow and provides good drainage to allow water to reach the grass roots. It is also ideal for planting native plants as well as most tropical plants. Available for bulk delivery only.
Please note: if you have buffalo grass it is recommended that you use our premium dressing sand for top dressing. Please see this product in our sand section.
Organic Topsoil
Organic Topsoil offers a good balance between a quality base soil and economic pricing. Our Organic Topsoil has been locally sourced and screened, it is ideal for filling areas, is cost effective and can be used to start garden beds. However, it is an incomplete soil meaning that it will require additives to be suitable for planting. Good budget topsoil to get you started. Available for pick-up and delivery.
Sands
Bedding Sand, Capricorn Fine Sand, Coarse Washed White Sand, Premium Dressing Sand (for buffalo lawn)
Did you know that if you put sand from the beach in your garden it will eventually kill your plants? The salt content within beach sand makes your soil too acidic and dries out any moisture it would have normally retained. The sand available at Dirt Cheap does not come from the beach, the numerous types that we provide have been locally sourced with quality in mind. You can use sand in trenches to bed in pipes, in sand pits and playgrounds, mix with concreting products for mortar, or even on your buffalo lawns to fix patches or unevenness.
Bedding Sand
Bedding Sand is a washed, coarse, medium grade sand. It is commonly used by plumbers (also known as plumber’s sand) or the DIY handyman/woman for form work and trenching with sand used to bed and surround pipes. Available for pick-up and delivery.
Washed White Sand
Coarse Washed White Sand is a washed, coarse, high grade sand. Approved for child care centres for use in sandpits, it can be used for paving, under pipes or can be mixed in cement. Available for pick-up and delivery.
Capricorn Fine Sand
Capricorn Fine Sand is a type of sand that brickies and tilers like to use to mix in their mortar as it is easy to work with. It is also the ideal sand for use under above ground pools. Available for pick-up and delivery.
Premium Dressing Sand
Ideal use is when top dressing buffalo lawns to fix any uneven areas. Alternatively, it can be used underneath indentations in buffalo grass to build up areas, to again fix any uneven areas. Available for pick-up and delivery.
Concreting
Did you know that concrete and cement are not the same thing? Cement is actually one of the three components of concrete. The other two components are water and aggregate (rock, sand, and/or gravel). Here at Dirt Cheap, we have the supplies you need to make your own concreting mixture at home or on the job site.
Concrete Mix
Concrete Mix is a mixture of sand and gravel. It is made up of mainly sand with 10mm aggregate. When mixed with GP cement you can use it to concrete almost anything. Available for pick-up and delivery.
GP Cement
General Purpose Cement (GP) is ideal for bricklaying, rendering, paving and general building uses. Initial set time is 2 hours. General Purpose Cement is a cost effective, high quality building material. The level of consistency and versatility of General Purpose cement makes it an ideal choice in virtually all construction applications. Available in 20kg bags, pick-up and delivery.
Builders Cement
General Blended Cement, more commonly known as Builders Cement, is manufactured for use in general purpose concrete applications, cement-based products, mortars and grouts where the use of fly ash or slag has been approved. Concrete made with fly ash or slag blend cement delivers improved workability, later-age strength and enhances the durability performance of concrete. General Blend Cement fully complies with the requirements for Type GB cement described in AS3972: General purpose and blended cements. It also complies with the AS 3972 requirements for Type SL (Shrinkage Limited) and Type SR (Sulphate Resisting) cements. Available in 20kg bags, bulk only.
Hydrated Lime
Hydrated lime is the result of water added to quick lime under controlled conditions. It can be blended with sand and cement to enhance the workability and bond strength for mortars and renders. Available in 20kg bags, bulk only.
Plasticiser Concentrate
Mix 1L of Mortar Magic concentrate into 19L of fresh, clean water to make 20L. 20-40ml per 40kg of cement produces a creamy easy to work mortar. Available in 1L bottles, pick-up and delivery.
Gravels & Aggregates
Aggregate, dust, deco, gravel has all sorts of names depending on what industry you work in or have grown up knowing it to be. Gravel can be used for endless applications such as drainage, levelling, behind retaining walls, on driveways and paths, as well as under concrete slabs, to name a few. With various sizes and types of gravel here at Dirt Cheap, you can be guaranteed to source the gravel you need to suit your project.
Crusher Dust
Crusher Dust can be used for foundations, block levelling, slab work, driveways and paving. Note: It should not be used under new turf or when top dressing your lawn as it deprives your lawn of nutrients and does not retain water. Crusher Dust is a stable level filler, ideal for use wherever a solid base is required. With fine, powder-like qualities, Crusher Dust compacts to create a strong, sturdy surface perfect for under slabs, used as a cost-effective filling, packing material around water tanks, and used as a material to back fill trenches. Available for pick up or delivery.
Deco Granite
Deco (decomposed) Granite is orange in colour and can be used on driveways, pathways, as a foundation for small sheds, car park areas or work yards and it can also be used as clean fill. Easy to compact, it has a sturdy compaction rating and is less dusty than crusher dust. When used for a path or driveway we recommend a good solid base of road base. When stabilising with cement, typically 2 bags of cement per tonne is recommended. Available for pick up or delivery.
Blue Metal Gravel
Blue Metal is a type of aggregate used for drainage purposes when constructing retaining walls and driveways, and can also be used when concreting. Aggregate can be used for but not limited to, drainage medium and drainage pipe backfill material; drainage filter medium material for retaining wall and varying applications; drainage back fill around subsoil lines and coarse fill as a soft ground bridging layer and drainage blanket. Available for pick up or delivery.
Ballast
Ballast ranges from 50mm to 200mm in size and therefore, can be considered as a bigger blue metal aggregate. Applications for this product include driveway crossings, decorative blue rock, and if at the nominal rail, ballast size of 53mm as an ‘A’ Type Rail Ballast for building railways. Available for bulk delivery only.
Roadbase
All of our roadbase types are made in accordance with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) specifications. This material is typically used in the construction of the roads, this may include the sub base, the base and the shoulders of the pavement. This is a quarried road base, typically brown to blue/black in colour, and sized at 20 mm minus (meaning it includes material graded from 20 mm down to dust.) It comprises a mix of crushed rock particles and blue metal gravel. As Roadbase compacts well, it serves as a good bed below sand for paving and under decorative pebbles or decomposed granites. Generally, road base can be used anywhere you need a solid base before construction, especially for driveways or paths. CBR rated, available in sizes 2.1; 2.3 and 2.5.
2.1 Roadbase
DGB (Densely Graded Base) is similar to Standard Road Base but a cut above, as it is compliant with RMS specification 3051 and suitable for use as road base material under bitumen, in developments, sub divisions, council roadways and so on. Available for pick up or delivery.
2.3 Roadbase
Compacts well, ideal for Driveways, Site access roads, Hardstands, Site sheds and rural access, and Road and pavement construction. A blend of aggregates and fines that compacts to make a stable hard base. It is most resistant to water erosion generally, roadbase is used in areas of heavy traffic like road construction and haul roads. T2.3 (CBR45) is a stronger blend of gravel than the T2.5 (CBR15). Available for bulk delivery only.
2.5 Roadbase
Compacts well, ideal for Driveways, Site access roads, Hardstands, Site sheds and rural access and Road and pavement construction. A blend of aggregates and fines that compacts to make a stable hard base. T2.5 (CBR15) is a weaker blend than the T2.3 (CBR45) material. Available for bulk delivery only.
Rock & Decorative Stones
Our wide range of stones and rock is sure to cover all you’ll need for your every application. Larger rocks (boulders) are available as well. Please see our FAQ section for ordering tips.
Marble
Marble is a bright white calcite pebble with flecks of blue stone mixed through. It is purely a decorative stone and is generally used in garden beds, pots or around pavers. Not suitable for high traffic areas. 10/50mm in size. Available for pick up or delivery.
River Stones
These natural river stones are a roundish shape, tumbled by water flow. They come in a mix of colours – mostly brown to beige and sometimes with charcoal and purple tones. River Stone has a variety of uses. It can be used decoratively in paths or as an aggregate behind retaining walls. Mainly, it is used on driveways, paths and in garden beds. They can also be used as drainage gravel for use behind retaining walls, trenches and any other wet areas. As the size of the stones increase, the greater the water flow. Comes in a variety of sizes including but not limited to 10mm; 20mm; 60/40mm; 75/150mm. Available for pick up or delivery.
Emerald White
Emerald White is a smooth white with flecks of grey copper coloured natural stone. Like the Emerald Gold, it is great for use in contemporary landscape settings and can be used as a feature and/or decorative stone for pathways, around pools, ponds, water features and as an inorganic mulch in pots and planter boxes. 10/20mm in size. Available for delivery only.
Emerald Gold
Emerald Gold is an appealing pale honey and cream coloured natural stone. Like the Emerald White, it is great for use in contemporary landscape settings and can be used as a feature and/or decorative stone for pathways, around pools, ponds, water features and as an inorganic mulch in pots and planter boxes. 10/20mm in size. Available for delivery only.
Granite Boulders
Our granite boulders have been locally source and to maintain the integrity of the boulders have been quarried directly out of the ground rather than blasted. Whilst more labour intensive, this method ensures the granite boulders maintain their aesthetic natural beauty. They are orange/pink in colour and come in a variety of shapes and sizes from 100mm. They are often used in landscaping for boulder retaining walls, natural garden edging, water features, as well as shoreline rip rap and as garden accent pieces. Come into Dirt Cheap for a look and select the ones you would like for your landscaping project. Available for pick up only.
Gabion Rock
Gabion Blue Metal Rock, as the name suggests, can be used to fill Gabion baskets (also known as Gabion cages, Rock cages and Rock baskets). 150-200mm in size. Available for bulk delivery only.
Mulch
There are many benefits that mulching provides. Mulching helps reduce soil moisture loss, helps control weed germination and growth, insulates soil and protects plant roots from extreme summer and winter temperatures. Mulching can improve soil fertility as certain mulch types decompose, improves the biology, aeration, structure and drainage over time. It also inhibits certain plant diseases, reduces the likelihood of damage from ‘weed whackers’ or the dreaded ‘lawn mower blight’. Not to forget to mention it gives your garden a uniform, well-cared-for look.
At Dirt Cheap we have the two major types, inorganic and organic. Inorganic includes materials such as stone that does not decompose and does not need to be replenished often. However, most horticulturists and/or gardeners prefer organic mulches as they decompose to improve soil quality and fertility. Each type provides its own benefits whether it is from the decomposition rate, budget or how you would like your garden to look.
Hardwood Chip
Effective as a water retainer and weed suppressor, hardwood chip is also the economical option, it takes a long time to decompose making it cost efficient. The neat structure of this mulch appeals to those who like a uniform look to their garden. Spread to a depth of 50–100mm for best results. Available for pick up or delivery.
Cypress Chip
Cypress woodchip is made from sawmill residue and trimming remnants. This larger honey-coloured chip mulch offers a brighter tone for your garden. Because of the large size of these chips this mulch will take longer to decompose, meaning extended periods between mulch renewals. With a refreshingly deep fragrance, Cypress mulch is a natural inhibitor for termites and fungus due to its antimicrobial properties. Perfect for soil moisture retention, as an insect repellent and weed suppressant, this mulch is also the environmentally friendly choice for your garden as it is non toxic to plants, humans and animals. Available for pick up or delivery.
Sugar Cane Mulch
Organic Sugar Cane Mulch helps improve poorer soil types and contains no weeds. It does not contain oil like other mulches. It is especially good for sloped gardens as it prevents soil erosion and it also prevents weed growth. 100% natural and certified organic by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia, this sugar cane mulch enriches your garden with nutrients as it breaks down. It contains no weeds, protects your plants from temperature fluctuations and reduces weed spread and moisture loss. Sugar cane is an excellent eco mulch, being a sustainable and renewable resource. Clean and environmentally friendly, this mulch is perfect for family gardens. Made from the by-product of the Australian sugar cane harvests and conveniently available in bales for easy handling, sugar cane mulch offers you an alternative to conventional mulches. Available for pick up or delivery.
Tea Tree Mulch
Renowned for its amazing antimicrobial properties, Tea Tree mulch is now available in convenient plastic-wrapped bales for your garden. A bale will give you approximately four square meters of coverage. This mulch is easy to spread, offers moisture retention and weed suppression properties. It is especially good for sloped gardens as it prevents soil erosion. Its beautiful dark colour, unique texture and rich fresh fragrance will add appeal to your garden. Suitable for all applications from tubs to large beds, this mulch is highly versatile and an attractive addition to your garden. This mulch is believed by many gardeners to be the best type of mulch. Available for pick up or delivery.
Forest Blend Mulch
Sometimes known as tub mulch, forest mulch is created from tree trimming and removal that is processed through a tub grinder. This mulch contains bark, chips of the interior of the tree, twigs and leaves. This mulch’s composition provides a very natural bush or forest floor look for your garden. An inexpensive alternative to some of the more varietal-specific mulches, Forest mulch is still very effective at moisture retention and weed suppression, while protecting your plants roots from extremes of frosts and harsh sunlight. Subject to availability.
Water Saving Mulch
Rocky Point Water Saving Mulch is a unique water saving product unlike anything available to the home gardener. Made from composted organic materials, Water Saving Mulch will improve any garden space. With the benefits of natural wetting agents, it has been specifically designed to increase water retention, saving it for when your plants need it most. This mulch has been professionally tested and the results speak for themselves. Available in 30L bags.
Specialty Mixes
Whether you are a savvy gardener that has their own special blend or a novice that likes to experiment, we have a range of speciality mixes that will help give you the ideal ingredients your garden will love. From planting in pots, specific garden types, seeds and cuttings to orchids, the following speciality mixes will have you covered.
Coco Pro Potting Mix
The ultimate in quality and innovation designed for superior growth. Coco Pro is the first Super Premium Potting Mix available to the market and represents genuine innovation in bagged potting mixes. Coco Pro offers unmatched quality, versatility & sustainability, with proven exceptional growing results in the widest variety of plant types & applications. This production quality mix contains a blend of slow and controlled released fertilisers which will feed your plants for up to 12 months, Coconut Fibre and Chip which act as organic water savers and root stimulators, and many other premium ingredients. Available in 10 L or 30L bags.
Premium Potting Mix
Cypress woodchip is made from sawmill residue and trimming remnants. This larger honey-coloured chip mulch offers a brighter tone for your garden. Because of the large size of these chips this mulch will take longer to decompose, meaning extended periods between mulch renewals. With a refreshingly deep fragrance, Cypress mulch is a natural inhibitor for termites and fungus due to its antimicrobial properties. Perfect for soil moisture retention, as an insect repellent and weed suppressant, this mulch is also the environmentally friendly choice for your garden as it is non toxic to plants, humans and animals. Available for pick up or delivery.
Seed And Cutting Mix
The ideal germinating mix for propagating seeds and cuttings. Seed & Cutting Mix is a high-quality, professional grade potting mix perfect for germinating vegetable, flower and herb seeds. It’s a versatile blend that can be used in rooting leaf and stem cuttings as it provides the ideal environment for a healthy start when propagating plants. Available in 10L and 22L bags.
Orchid Mix
A superior structural mix, ideal for epiphytic and terrestrial orchids. Orchid Mix is the perfect growing medium for all types of orchids requiring an open and free draining mix. It is ideal for epiphytic and terrestrial orchids such as Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, and Cymbidiums just to name a few. This lightweight mix has been tried and tested by professional orchid growers with great success and is the preferred medium for both pots and in-ground growing. Available in 10L and 30L bags.
Bonsai Cacti / Succulent Mix
A professional quality mix for unique ornamental plants. For brilliant growing results in small format potted plants, Rocky Point Bonsai Cacti Succulent is ideal. This is a free draining mix to prevent unwanted water logging and possible root rot which sometimes affects small container plants. Boosted with slow release fertiliser, it will feed your plants for over 3 months. Available in 10L and 22L bags.
Growing Enhancers
Are you looking for something extra to give your garden a boost? Dirt Cheap has what you need to make your flowers flourish, gardens lush, lawns green and fruit/veggies grow at exceptional rates and volumes. Become the envy of your neighbours and visitors, give your garden and/or lawn a boost, your garden with thank you for it.
Screened Compost
To ensure quality and peace of mind, our compost is produced and mixed in accordance with Australian Standard AS4454. It is organic matter that has been through a controlled process of natural aerobic decomposition for a minimum of 12 weeks at 60 degrees to illuminate any risk of germinating seeds. It is great for incorporating into your existing soil or top dressing your trees, shrubs, lawns and veggies. Much of the organic matter used to manufacture compost includes green food, bio-solid and other organic waste feedstocks. It can be used for a number of home gardens to major landscaping project applications. Come in and have a look, get it mixed in with your choice of soil or on its own and make it your best gardening year yet! Available for pick up or delivery.
Active 8
Active 8 is a well-balanced soil improver designed for the home gardener to reinvigorate vegetable gardens and tired soils. This potent product is supercharged with over eight active ingredients including a blend of organic compost, composted chicken and cow manure, blood and bone, gypsum, fish meal, seaweed extract, iron, zeolite and trace elements. This ensures your plants are healthier, producing brilliant colour and increased yields. All of these ingredients combine to create a balanced nutrient rich growing environment to ensure spectacular growth. Available in 30L or 50L bags.
Lawn Star
A top dress and feed for lawn so lush your neighbours will get jealous. Lawn Star is a uniquely formulated premium top dress and feed designed to improve, strengthen and rejuvenate your lawn. This professionally developed mix is enhanced with high quality mineral content to level undulations, slow release fertiliser to produce a healthy green lawn, and rich organic matter and wetting granules to improve those dry, tired patched. Ideal for both new and established lawns. Lawn Star is great for producing excellent long term results while enhancing the structure in all lawn varieties. Available in 30L bags.
Premium Native Mix
A premium low phosphorus soil for Australian Natives and Proteaceae. Rocky Point Native Mix is a premium planting mix which has been specially formulated through years of experience crafting professional low phosphorus blends for growers, landscapers, local councils and developers. This free draining blend provides excellent growing conditions, boosted with controlled release fertiliser to feed your plants for over 8 months, an added granular wetting agent, rock minerals, trace elements, gypsum and iron. Native Mix is particularly suitable for growing native plants however, can be used in all garden bed applications and other plant varieties. Available in 30L bags.
Organic Life
Organic Life is a supercharged fully composted, biologically activated organic fertiliser. Boosted with Terra Firma’s poultry manure base, soft rock phosphate, sulphate of potash, meat meal, bone meal, seaweed and zeolite, Organic Life offers more than one form of the same nutrient, supporting the plant and offering the available nutrients when the plant needs it. Available in 5kg, 15kg & 25kg bags.
Blood And Bone
Blood and Bone contains carbon rich, fully composted chicken manure which introduces a number of beneficial microbes to the soil. This product is biologically active and releases natural nutrients faster than traditional Blood and Bone. The easy to use pellets means the product won’t wash away and is simple to spread by hand or spinner. Available in 5kg, 15kg & 25kg bags.
Lime Impact
Lime Impact is an easy to spread, pelletised lime blend, combining fully composted organics, high calcium lime, boron and silicon, with the advantages of broad-spectrum background nutrition to support healthy soils and plants. Lime Impact can be placed accurately without the fear of dusts being lost in the breeze. Available in 25kg bags.
