How much TerraCottem for my trees?

The TerraCottem soil conditioners are very potent: only a small quantity is required when planting trees and shrubs.

Only 1.5 kg per m3 growing medium or soil taken from plant hole

= 1.5 gram per litre soil

So depending on the size of the planting hole - i.e. the size of the tree - you can calculate the required amount of TerraCottem soil conditioner:

Diam. root ball (cm)	Width, B (cm)	Length, L (cm)	Depth, D (cm)	Planthole volume, V (l)	TC rate (*)
10	20	20	10	4	5 g	= 1 teaspoon
15	30	30	15	13.5	20 g	= 1 spoon
20	40	40	20	32	50 g	= 1 lid of 750g jar
25	50	50	25	62.5	100 g	= 2 lids
35	70	70	35	171.5	250 g	The 5kg and 10kg tubs include a measuring cup
45	90	90	45	364.5	500 g
55	110	110	55	665.5	1 kg
100	200	200	100	4000	6 kg
200	400	400	200	32000	50 kg
Whenever possible, spread another half of the calculated TC rate on the bottom of the planthole and mix well.

Determine the appropriate size of your plant hole

The rule of thumb? The diameter of your hole must be equal to 2 or 3 times the diameter of the root ball.

And how deep?

Place your tree as deep as the height of the bare root or the container your tree was in. This way, the top of the root ball is parallel to the ground level.

Step 1: calculate the volume of the plant hole

The volume can be calculated using the formula:

V = L x B x D : 1000

Volume V, in litre
Length (L) and width (B): 2x the size of the diameter of the root ball, in cm;
Depth (D): 1 x the size of the diameter of the root ball, in cm;

Step 2: use this volume to calculate the TerraCottem rate:

TC rate = V x 1.5

V, in litre;
TC rate, in grams

Keep small amount of soil from the hole apart from the rest. Add TerraCottem soil conditioner (TC) to the soil taken from the hole at the calculated rate and mix as homogeneously as possible.

Example 1

Diameter root ball: 40 cms

L = B = 2 x 40 cms = 80 cms;
D = 40 cms;
V = L x B x D : 1000 = 80 x 80 x 40 cms = 256 l
TC rate = 256 x 1.5 = 384 g = 400 g rounded

Example 2

Diameter root ball: 1,2 m

L = B = 2 x 120 cms = 240 cms;
D = 120 cms;
V = L x B x D : 1000 = 240 x 240 x 120 cms = 6912 l
TC rate = 6912 x 1.5 = 10365 g = 10kgs rounded

Step 3: fill partially with TC-soil mixture

Place the tree or shrub in the plant hole.

Step 4: fill the rest of the plant hole with the TC-soil mixture

Make sure not to fill higher than the top of the root ball. Create a concave shape to trap available water.

Step 5: water thoroughly

The above-mentioned rates are applicable in the majority of cases. However they may vary according to the climate, type of soil and recommendations of the project manager, architect or consultant. For recommended methods and specific rates contact us without obligations.