How to Plant a Tree

Tom says...
Hi N,
My "Australian" is reasonably good (I understand most of the time), so here's a go at responding to your questions.
3. Kath said clay soil or "heavy soils"; these are soils which do not drain well and would hold the water rather than let it through to the roots. She said you should "mound" the planting, which means that you should plant it on a little hill rather than in a valley like a bowl. That will prevent the water from staying in the bowl and drowning the plant.
4. You can ask someone at your local garden shop for recommendations on topsoil and organic matter, but I believe what she intends to show you is that you should probably replace the soil you dig out of the hole with a good organic mixture if you don't already have that.
7.Kath used dolomite, you heard correctly; but she also said not to use this on acid-loving plants. I think that may be what you heard as "luby".
8. Again, ask at your local garden centre about blood and bone additives.
9. She said "slow-release" fertilizer. That may be what you heard as "soil way".
11. I believe what you heard as "laireal" was "a layer of", in this case a layer of organic mulch for which Kath used hay.

I hope that helps. I think Australian English is the "spiciest" in our common language, and I love hearing it; but even I have to listen attentively or get lost in the words. It has layers of sounds other English speakers don't (or can't) make, and it's filled with lots of shortcuts, twists, and good humour.

Phil@Tyalgum says...
# 7 - Kath says not to use on "blueberries"

Tom says...
Super to hear it, N! Hope you have good weather while you dig. Summer in Melbourne must be a treat.

Hey Phil - much thanks for the honour bestowed upon me of honorary Aussie (or at least the hope of it.) How come there's that extra "u" in "honour" but not in "honorary"? I think I should know the secret to that one if I'm to properly bear this tribute. By the way, I think I told you that we acquired an old RHD Toyota Land Cruiser, quite a rarity here in Florida. Driving from its right side and shifting with my left hand took some getting used to, but I figured the real test would be driving on the left side of the road; so I tried it in the neighborhood (or is that neighbourhood?) late one night. If I ever come to Oz, I think I'll just have to take public transportation everywhere because clockwise around our little cul de sac was too thrilling for me.