TerraCottem has been approved as a physical soil improver by the Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.

Each TerraCottem soil conditioner contains nutritive, growth stimulating and water-absorbing components. They all work in synergy to stimulate root development and plant growth, even in poor and degraded soils.

Not all soils are conducive to good plant growth. Prolonged droughts and extremely irregular rainfall are limiting factors for plant growth. TerraCottem soil conditioning technology provides more fertile soil for sustainable, healthy root and plant growth and you save up to 50% water.

TerraCottem is active at the root level and activated when the plant is watered.

The hydrogels absorb water and nutrients. The biostimulants promote root hair growth. These root hairs grow through the polymers and absorb the required amount of water and nutrients. In short, TerraCottem promotes root growth. This gives a healthier and more resistant plant with less need for irrigation water.

We have four different soil conditioners in our range:

TerraCottem universal is the original TerraCottem soil conditioner and can be used for all types of planting projects such as trees, shrubs, revegetation, annuals, perennials, roof gardens, agriculture, horticulture and potting soils.

TerraCottem arbor has been developed especially for tree and shrub planting.

TerraCottem turf is specific for sports turf and ornamental lawns, turfed, seeded or sprigged. 

TerraCottem complement is a complementary product applied to flowerbeds and horticulture plants where they are removed or harvested every season and were previously treated with TerraCottem universal.  

The TerraCottem soil conditioner was developed in the 1980s by a team of scientists led by Professor Van Cotthem from the University of Ghent, Belgium. Their aim was to find a means to combat desertification.

TerraCottem works at the root level. It is therefore very important that you incorporate the soil conditioner homogeneously into the root zone or that you mix it with the growing medium.

1. Trees: mix TerraCottem thoroughly with the soil from the planting hole.
2. Lawns & flowerbeds: incorporate TerraCottem into the soil with a tiller, rotavator or cultivator 20 cm deep.
3. Flowerpots and hanging baskets: mix TerraCottem thoroughly with the potting soil.
   

The total amount of TerraCottem needed depends on the type of application and the size of the area to be treated, the planting hole or the flower pots.

For more information and a more detailed calculation about application rates and methods to suit your planting needs, please contact our sales team.

For at least 8 years. TerraCottem soil conditioners were developed to remain active for a long time.

You can buy TerraCottem online through this website or for bulk purchases by contacting our sales team with years of experience in soil conditioning.

For purchases outside of New Zealand please contact one of our distributors closest to you. Find your nearest TerraCottem distributor here.

No. Although on the exterior they may look similar to one another, their chemical structure can be vastly different. It is that chemical construction that will affect how they absorb, store and release their content as well as their toxicity, longevity and suitability for their use in growing plants.

For more information click here.

TerraCottem soil conditioners are much more than pure polymer or water crystal. They are a balanced mixture of hydro-absorbent polymers, fertilisers, biostimulants and carrier materials. What makes TerraCottem so unique is precisely the synergetic effect of all these components on plant growth.

For more information click here.

No. The water retention capacity is not necessarily relevant in terms of performance, as high water retention capacity does not necessarily mean high water availability.

For a more detailed explanation click here.

Not at all. The hydro-absorbent polymers in the TerraCottem mixtures were chosen for, amongst other things, their ability to absorb, retain and ultimately make water available to plant roots. They have absorption tensions which allow plant roots to pick up water on demand.

For more information click here.

Yes. We are not aware of any other soil amendment, technique or product (e.g. sub-soil heating, geotextiles, Desso GrassMaster, SubAir, etc.) that isn’t compatible with the use of a TerraCottem soil conditioner.

TerraCottem is often used to complement the performance of other products and techniques.

No. Root rot is often caused by a surplus of water in the soil, where poor soil structure prevents the water from draining off or being used effectively by the plant, and limits or prevents oxygen from circulating, eventually asphyxiating the plant roots.

In soil treated with TerraCottem soil conditioner, water absorbed by the product is contained within the hydro-absorbent components and only released on plant demand. As plants only absorb the water that they need, the rest remains in the polymers. These swollen particles open up and aerate the growing medium helping reduce compaction and root rot.

There is no golden rule as to how much water should be given to a plant. The amounts of water required by plants are based on their type, age and environment. The soil texture and structure are also key factors: water and air management will greatly affect plant growth. Too little water and the plant will wither; too much water and the plant won't be able to absorb a sufficient amount of oxygen.

Applying TerraCottem will increase the overall water retention without changing the drainage capacity. In soils treated with TerraCottem, customers report water savings of up to 50% as compared to the irrigation levels used before or without TerraCottem.

Customary types and rates of fertiliser should be used on areas treated with TerraCottem soil conditioner according to the recommendations of the project manager, architect or consultant.

Once plants and grass are established, lower rates of fertiliser may be considered to find the most cost-effective rate. Significant reductions in fertilisation (up to 40%) are repeatedly reported by TerraCottem customers and have been proven by independent Universities and laboratories.

Yes, it does. TerraCottem absorbs the fertilisers that are mixed and dissolved in the substrate and makes them available to the plants. This is how TerraCottem can reduce the leaching of these fertilisers and increases fertilising efficiency.

TerraCottem hydro-absorbent polymers only freeze at -2°C and are therefore not immediately affected by light night frost. The actual freezing of the product has no harmful effect on the treated soil or plants.