Digging in the Peel and the south-east corridor
Grey sand over clay; peaty flats near the estuary. Waterlogged June to September; drainage is everything.
South of Armadale the coastal plain widens into the Peel: Byford, Mundijong, Serpentine, Jarrahdale, North Dandalup, Pinjarra and Waroona. It is Perth's fastest-growing corridor of new estates and 1 to 5 acre lifestyle blocks, and it has more horse properties than anywhere else in the state.
What the ground does
Grey sand over a shallow clay layer means water sits. From June to September paddocks are boggy, trenches fill overnight and the Peel Main Drain runs full. Near the estuary the flats are peaty and soft all year. Toward the Scarp at Jarrahdale and Serpentine the ground turns to gravel and granite.
Typical jobs
Drainage first: spoon drains, ag-drains and raised hard stands around gates and troughs. Then arenas and yards, post-and-rail fencing, shed pads, driveways, dams and soaks, and firebreaks for the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Shire of Murray notices.
Machines and attachments that suit
The R22 PRO is the acreage machine, with the dig depth for drains and soaks and the weight for the gravel edge. The RS06 handles arena sand, manure, gravel and mulch; the RS10 suits bigger properties running a trencher or brush cutter. A tilt bucket for drains and an auger for fencing are the attachments that pay for themselves.
Timing
Do drainage in autumn before the rain, or in winter when you can see where the water goes. Arenas and fencing go in during the spring window. See the winter water table.