Sustainable Gardening - in Darebin - Darebin City Council
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin
This revised Sustainable
Gardening booklet was
produced by Darebin City 2
Council in 2020.
3
Original text by Sustainable
Gardening Australia.
6
Printed on recycled paper
with vegetable based inks 8
Disclaimer: Although
care has been taken to 9
ensure the accuracy of the
information, the publishers, 19
authors and printers cannot
accept responsibility for 25
any claim, loss, damage
or liability arising out of 26
the use of the information
published.
34
Darebin Council is
committed to contributing 43
to the achievement of
sustainability within
Darebin and promoting
sustainability to others.
49
55
61
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 1
INTRODUCTION GARDEN DESIGN You are on your way to a
sustainable garden if you:
Gardening is all about creating food waste and using it on our Many gardens still have a Have a plan of sun/shade,
a beautiful environment. garden rather than sending it traditional English layout, which slope and soil variation in
Sustainable gardening is about to landfill, we reduce harmful usually includes a paved sitting your garden
gardening in a way that supports greenhouse gases. Our plants area, large open lawn and
Have a rough planting plan
the natural environment and and trees help draw down flowerbeds of exotic plants
that groups plants according
ecosystems of the place where carbon from the atmosphere, around the outside.
to their water, sun and
we live, and minimising our as well as providing shade and
With many people now having soil needs
negative impacts. shelter and reducing the heat
busier lifestyles, modern
generated by the many hard Have designed your garden
Gardening can benefit our gardens are becoming smaller
surfaces of our city. for low water use (page 18)
local environment in so many in size and requiring less
ways. If we plant local plants It is easy to create beautiful maintenance. This does not Have thoughts about the
we provide food and shelter gardens that suit our local mean that your garden cannot amount of garden waste
for birds, bees and butterflies. climate and soil and support be sustainable, it just means it you might produce (e.g.
By conserving water in the our natural environment. needs to be designed well. law clippings and prunings),
garden we help maintain Sustainable gardens can be and ways for managing
A sustainable garden design
water levels in our reservoirs. introduced gradually e.g. as this waste onsite (e.g.
can offer habitat for wildlife,
If we minimise our use of an exotic plant dies, replace it composting and mulching)
provide you with fresh food,
chemicals, we help to keep with a local plant. Sustainable Have maximised the
and can even impact your
stormwater runoff into creeks gardens are low maintenance, as permeable surface e.g.
household energy use. For
and streams chemical free. By they require less watering, lower replacing concrete with gravel
example, well placed deciduous
growing food in our gardens or no application of fertilisers
trees and climbers can provide Have designed your garden
we can reap environmental and chemicals, and less mowing
shade in summer and light in to have flow and interest
and health benefits. If we and pruning.
winter, reducing heating and to create appeal
purchase renewable resources
And last but not least – cooling costs for your home.
for the garden instead of non- Have designed your
gardening is good for our
renewable resources, we can Interior design, architecture, garden to reduce your
souls! Spending time in our
help to protect our old growth cars and fashion change to suit home energy use
gardens with family, friends and
forests and river ecosystems. new lifestyles. It’s time gardens
neighbours is a great way to Have included food
did too. To design a sustainable
Creating sustainable gardens connect with nature and production in your garden
garden, take the time to work
and encouraging biodiversity are each other.
out how to create a garden that Have included variations
also a great way for us all to take
Sustainable gardens: good you feel comfortable with, that in your garden design to
action on the climate emergency
for us, our communities and maximises the space you have, increase habitat and food
together. By composting our
our planet. and that suits your lifestyle, sources for wildlife.
local soil and climate.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 3
GARDEN DESIGN TIPS
1 3 6
List what you need Do a scaled plan If you want to Running grasses
(shed, washing or mark out where reduce your lawn are tough to remove.
line, water tank, different garden area to make bigger Try one of these
kids swings, elements will go garden beds, you methods to remove
entertainment area) (following the tips need to know what them:
and what you want in this guide). For type of lawn you
• cover the grass
(vegetable garden, example, placing a have. If you have
with a sheet
shade area, pond, new shed in a shady a fine lawn grass
of clear plastic
fruit tree/s). corner, vegetables such as Rye or
for several weeks
where they get full Fescue you can
in hot weather
2 sun, a pond where mow the lawn low,
so that the grass
it can be seen from cover with 8–10
Do a site analysis, effectively ‘cooks’,
inside the house, and sheets of newspaper
(sun, shade, slope,
a shade tree to the (overlapping), add • mow the lawn
privacy – all the
north of the house. 10–15cm of pea area you wish to
problems that need
straw on top, wait remove on the
solving) which will
tell you what your
4 3–4 months and lowest mower
then plant directly setting and then
site will let you do. Find a style you
into it. This must be dig out the
like that suits your
done when the soil remaining root
garden, so your
is moist and all the system.
paving, pots, water
grass should have
features, and plants
died. If you have
match, especially in
‘running’ grasses
a courtyard garden.
such as Couch or
Kikuyu they will
5 not be eliminated
Make garden beds by newspaper
bigger and lawns and mulch.
Further Information smaller. If you mulch all
The Australian Garden – Diana Snape beds this will reduce
Beautiful Gardens with Less Water – John Patrick your maintenance and
Bold Romantic Gardens – Oehme Van Swede enable you to create
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/environment interesting areas
within your garden.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 5
SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT TIPS
PRODUCT
SELECTION 1 2 4
When buying products for the You are on your way to a Look for Forest Grass trees, tree Ceramic pots fired
garden we often don’t think sustainable garden if you: Stewardship Council ferns and native using gas and
about where they have come (FSC) certified orchids may have produced locally
Ask where a product
from, for example, River Red timbers. While some been sourced have a lower
comes from and avoid
Gum trees grow in woodlands outdoor furniture illegally from the environmental
buying unsustainable
which are part of an intricate companies claim forest. Plants impact than those
products
ecosystem that supports native teak is plantation- should be sold fired using coal
fauna. Red gum timber is used Use recycled products, harvested in Asia, with a government or wood and
to produce items such as like bricks, timbers, this magnificent tag stating they transported from
bark chips, tomato stakes and plastic sleepers tree is a rainforest have been legally overseas.
railway sleepers – harvesting Reuse your plastic plant that cannot collected.
this product is unsustainable. plant pots or put them be grown in 5
With some thought we can in a Garden Center plantations. 3 River pebbles may
support more environmentally pot recycling bin Make sure to ask have been sourced
sound practices through the
where mulch has from waterways
products we choose for our
come from as some in developing
gardens and homes.
are sourced from countries such as
the logging of old China and India.
growth forests or This destroys the
contain weed seeds. local ecosystem and
causes silt to wash
down stream to
communities who
rely on the river
for drinking and
washing. Use locally
crushed rock and
granitic gravel.
Further Information
Building Timbers –
The Wilderness Society
www.sgaonline.org.au
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 7
CARING FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT TIPS
YOUR SOIL You are on your way to a
sustainable garden if you:
Healthy soil = healthy plants. 1 4
Soil needs organic matter Check mulch levels and
(mulch, compost, manure, replace every year to bring The soil needs to be damp Soil improvement such as pea
grass clippings). Worms back to 8–10cm deep before adding mulch, so late straw placed on the soil surface is
break it down to make food spring (November) is the best generally only required for exotic
Regularly add organic time to apply mulch (once the plants, vegetables and fruit trees.
for plants to use and their
matter to your soil winter rains have soaked in). Most local and native plants like
burrows allow air into the soil
so the plant roots can breathe. Know which are the best a relatively infertile soil, so they
Organic matter needs to be types of mulch for different 2 prefer bark mulch on its own
replaced regularly as the types of plants without soil improvement.
Top up mulch annually to
worms consume it and plants Have at least 3 worms in 8-10cm deep. Mulches made
absorb the nutrients. If organic a spadeful of soil wherever from recycled organics are an 5
matter is not added, the soil you dig in the garden excellent choice as they save Pea straw and lucerne are the
becomes like concrete in the water, last longer and feed the best if you have not mulched the
summer and a sticky mess in Only dig your soil when
soil as they break down. soil for a long time, as they break
the winter. In addition, most you need to.
down quickly. Bark mulch has
people want a low maintenance 3 little nutrients, so it won’t improve
garden. This is much easier if the soil as much.
Spreading compost over
you look after your soil.
your soil (under the mulch
layer) will encourage worms 6
in your garden. When buying new soil for your
garden don’t only buy topsoil,
buy a soil that includes recycled
organics or compost. Or you can
use your homemade compost to
add to your soil.
7
Don’t cultivate your soil unless
it is very compacted e.g. after
building works. Digging destroys
the soil structure, therefore
destroying the air holes and
drainage spaces.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 9
TESTING YOUR SOIL COMPOST AND You are on your way to a
sustainable garden if you:
BEFORE YOU PLANT WORM FARMING
VegeSafe is a community you are encouraged to send Composting or worm Make your own compost
science participation program soil samples for free soil metal farming your food scraps, Can list 10 things you can
run by Environmental Science testing. You will receive a formal grass and garden clippings put in compost and 3 things
staff at Macquarie University. report containing the results of (organics) can provide you you shouldn’t put in compost
They seek to inform the your soil analysis, and advice with an excellent source of
Put most of your food waste
community about metal and about what to do if your soils free garden food and soil
in your compost not your
metalloid contaminants in contain elevated concentrations improver. In addition to
garbage bin
garden soil through their soil of metals and metalloids. creating great fertiliser, it
metal testing program. reduces greenhouse gases, Put most of your green
More information:
saves water and dramatically waste in your food and
If you have a vegetable patch www.research.science.mq.
reduces the amount of waste green waste bin
or are concerned about metal edu.au/vegesafe
going to landfill.
contamination in your backyard, Use your compost as a
fertiliser under mulch, mix
with potting mix in containers,
use on top of seed beds in
the vegetable garden or
stewed in water to make
a liquid feed
Use a worm farm or Bokashi
bin if you live in an apartment
or have a small garden
Further Information
The Natural Gardener – Jeffrey Hodges
Gardening Down-Under – Kevin Handreck
The Natural Magic of Mulch – Michael J. Roads
www.sgaonline.org.au www.darebin.vic.gov.au/environment
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 11
COMPOSTING TIPS SOLVING COMMON COMPOST PROBLEMS
Why is my compost: “attracting flies or maggots?”
1 3 If you see tiny flies (drosophila)
“left with half decomposed
Your compost bin or heap In addition, the compost big lumps?” every time you open the lid,
should be located on soil, heap or bin needs: rest assured that they are there
Adding smaller pieces to the
so that it drains well and because they enjoy the contents
• Water – enough so that the bin/heap should ensure that it
worms and bacteria can enter of your bin/heap, especially
contents are moist but not wet. all decomposes evenly. Avocado
the bin to decompose the if you have been adding fruit
seeds, pineapple tops, eggshells,
organic waste. • Oxygen – added by regularly peelings. Add a blanket cover
twigs and other woody items
turning over the contents. to the contents of your bin/heap,
should be crushed or chopped
2 • Warmth – locate your compost before adding.
such as hessian sacking or carpet
All compost bins or bin in a sunny place, but not felt underlay.
“smelly?”
heaps need a balance with direct sunlight all day. “visited by rats or mice?”
of materials that: Either: Too much nitrogen Meat scraps or fish bones can
• Are high in nitrogen, such
4 containing matter and not enough be added to compost if it is
carbon. Try adding more dry working efficiently and quickly.
as kitchen scraps and grass If you are left with half
materials such as dried chopped However, they are best avoided
clippings. You can also add decomposed lumps in your
up leaves and newspaper. since they do encourage vermin,
blood and bone, Dynamic compost add smaller pieces of
Lifter or chicken manure for food to the bin/heap to ensure Or: Make sure you aid especially over summer. Rats
a nitrogen boost. it all decomposes evenly. decomposition by using a and mice enter the bin by
Always crush eggshells. garden fork/compost aerator digging underneath, so fasten
• Contain carbon, such
and turning over the bin/heap a piece of fine mesh wire under
as dried leaves or shredded
5 occasionally (maybe once a the bin before commencing.
newspapers.
Ants and slaters are an indication week) to introduce more air. “taking so long to do anything?!!!”
• Aim for a ratio of 30 parts This prevents anaerobic bacteria
your heap is too dry. Add a The carbon/nitrogen ratio needs
carbon: 1 part nitrogen. from taking over and producing
sprinkling of water or less to be altered. Remember if too
Spreading compost over dry matter. the smells. In a compost bin
wet, add dry matter, such as
your soil (under the mulch you can add lengths of slotted
newspaper and if too dry, add
layer) will encourage worms 6 agipipe to increase aeration.
water along with something
in your garden. “crawling with ants and slaters?” high in nitrogen such as blood
Visit the SGA website for
information on compost trouble The heap is too dry. Add a and bone, Dynamic Lifter pellets,
shooting. www.sgaonline.org.au sprinkling of water or less dry or chicken manure. And don’t
matter. Ants and slaters are forget to regularly turn the
not harmful at all but they do heap over!
indicate that your compost will
not decompose rapidly enough.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 13
WORM FARMING
Using a worm farm is an Follow the worm farm instructions
excellent way to reduce the and remove the castings and
amount of organic waste in your worm liquid as you need them,
garbage. Worms eat the organic or as trays fill up and your worms
waste and turn it into liquid are eating food in another tray.
fertiliser (worm liquid) and Castings can be mixed directly
worm castings which are great into the soil around your plants
fertilisers for pot plants and or before you plant. To use the
gardens. Worm farms can be a worm liquid fertiliser, dilute it in
great option for smaller gardens water 1:10 before adding to your
and apartments. plants. You can even bottle it to
store for short periods, or give
Worm farms can be purchased
to friends.
through Council or garden
ADD TO YOUR KEEP OUT OF centres and come with easy
COMPOST YOUR COMPOST to follow instructions. You will
Keep these items out
of your worm farm:
• fruit and vegetable scraps • fish and meat need to buy composting worms
for your worm farm. Common • citrus and pineapple
• coffee grounds and tea bags • cat and dog droppings;
composting worm types sold • onion, garlic and chillies
• crushed egg shells consider a pet poo
are Tiger, Red Wrigglers and • Dairy and oils
• animal fur, human hair worm farm instead
Indian Blues. • Meat and fish
• onions and cut up citrus fruit • big woody prunings
• pizza and egg cartons • bulbous weeds e.g. oxalis spp.
• vacuum cleaner dust • weeds with runners
• pure cotton articles (cut up) e.g. couch grass
• grass clippings (3-4cm layers) • bleached or glossy
office paper
• cut up prunings
• Plastic bags and packaging
• weeds without seed heads
(even those labelled as
• blood and bone, manure
compostable and
• shredded newspaper biodegradable)
• small amounts of wood ash • fruit and vegetables infected
• straw and dried leaves with gall wasp or Queensland
• Pineapple tops and avocado fruit fly (see page 45).
seeds (cut up or crushed,
otherwise they will take longer
to break down)
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 15
WORM FARM TIPS
1 2 3 5 6 8
Feed your worms Worms like Chop up your food Worms like it moist, Keep the worm You can try a pet
gradually and don’t food wastes like and garden waste but not too moist! farm lid on to keep poo only worm
overfeed them. vegetable and fruit as much as possible Keep a few layers out the rain and the farm. Don’t add any
Begin with small peelings, tea leaves, to feed to the of moist newspaper light. Worms like other organic food
amounts of organic crushed eggshells worms. Add aged or hessian over the the dark. to this type of worm
waste, allowing and small amounts manure, mouldy top of your worms, farm and do not put
gradual build-up of bread. They also leaves or mulch underneath the lid. 5 resulting castings
over the months like small amounts litter and regular Keep the rain out and liquid around
Worms are the
as the ecosystem of soiled paper and light sprinkles of and don’t flood your any edible plants.
perfect pet, they
evolves. As a guide cardboard such mature compost worms. If your worm You also need to
don’t need to be
maintain two as shredded egg to accelerate the farm is too wet your avoid using it for
fed every day and
centimetres of food cartons. Avoid meat composting worms may drown a period after you
temporary absence
over half the surface scraps as they can process and inhibit at the bottom or have wormed
or limited availability
area of your worm produce offensive vinegar flies. you may have huge your pet.
of food is not a
farm. If you are odours and attract numbers of small
major concern. If
adding more food rats and mice. 4 vinegar flies (a small
you go away in
than the worms can amount are healthy).
Worms like summer you may
eat, your worm farm Make sure you
temperatures need to position/
may become smelly. regularly drain the
between 18-24 °C. prepare your worm
worm farm, or keep
Worms stop eating farm to stay cool
the tap open with a
when they are and moist in
container underneath
cold and can die if your absence.
to catch the worm
they are too hot.
liquid. If your farm is
In summer keep
too wet try adding
them in the shade
torn up newspaper
and ideally find a
to absorb excess
warmer spot for
moisture.
the winter.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 17FOOD AND GREEN WASTE RECYCLING BIN WATER You are on your way to a
sustainable garden if you:
If you have excess food and Your food and green waste is Australia is one of the driest Have 30% or more of your
green waste that you can’t turned into nutrient rich mulch continents on earth. Water garden planted with plants in
compost, you can contact and compost to be used on use in the garden is a major the Darebin Local Plant Guide
Council for a food and green Victorian farms and gardens. contributor to high residential
waste bin (annual fees apply). Please do not place any type water consumption levels. By
Mulch all your garden beds
You can place items like meat of plastic (even compostable improving the soil and using
and pots to reduce how
scraps, fish bones, bread, or biodegradable), glass, or alternative water sources for
much water is required
general leftovers, egg shells, other incorrect items in this the garden such as rain water
coffee grounds, fruit and bin. Annual bundled branch collected in tanks, stormwater Don’t have a lawn, or if
vegetable scraps in this bin, collections are also available. or greywater directed into the you do, cut your lawn long
along with grass cuttings, More information can be found garden, installing efficient (8–10cm) over summer
weeds, leaves, flowers and at www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ irrigation systems and using Water in the coolest part
prunings (up to 30cm in length). foodwaste. good garden design, significant of the day, between
water savings can be made. 6pm-10am
Water around the plant root
zone with long, infrequent
watering
Use a soaker hose or dripper
system instead of sprays
Have either a timer on your
taps or shut off valves on
your hoses
Have a water tank
Recycle greywater from
the laundry and bathroom to
the garden, using EPA
Victoria approved techniques
or systems
Further Information
The Compost Book – David Taylor and Yvonne Taylor
Gardening Down-Under – Kevin Handreck
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/foodwaste
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 19WATER TIPS
Watering
Watering
Deep watering delivers water slowly to
Deep watering
the roots delivers water
and encourages deepslowly
rootsto
1 5 9 the roots and encourages deep roots
After you have Mulch all your garden Go for a tough
watered, dig down beds and pots. drought tolerant
to see how far it has Mulch made from grass like ‘Sir Walter
penetrated, it should recycled organics is Buffalo’; a native
be at least 10cm. a great water saving grass such as
product. Microlaena stipoides
2 (won’t take football
Water between
6 games, but is fine
for walking on); or
6pm and 10am to Check the weather
a native groundcover
avoid evaporation forecast to avoid
like Myoporum
in the warmest watering before rain.
parvifolium for the Agipipes filled Plastic bottle with
part of the day. Agipipes filled
with gravel Plastic
base bottle
removedwith
front garden.
7 with gravel base removed
3 Avoid using micro- 10
Install a rainwater sprays. They waste
tank. By watering up to 70% of water
Greywater from Mulch protects roots
the bathroom and Mulch protects roots
your garden with through drift and
laundry must be from high temperatures
captured rainwater, evaporation and if
collected and used
from high temperatures
you reduce demand the soil is mulched,
according to EPA
on Melbourne’s water will not
Victoria guidelines
water supply system. penetrate to the soil.
to avoid potential
Speak to an expert Mulch No Mulch
to find a suitably 8 health risks. Visit Mulch No Mulch
www.epa.vic.gov.au
sized water tank.
Water pots and for more information
plants with a low
4 pressure on the 32˚C 42˚C
3cm deep 32˚C 42˚C Roots can
Check and clean hose. The water 3cm deep Roots can
be killed
your irrigation should be running be killed
at high
system every spring. slowly, not on a at high
temperatures
spray, as this does 12cm deep temperatures
12cm deep
not penetrate 26˚C 38˚C
very deeply. 26˚C 38˚C
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 21RAINGARDENS
Raingarden
To create a water efficient garden For further information on
Filtered Vegetation Stormwater
and improve the health of our installing a raingarden, visit: stormwater from the roof
creeks you may want to consider www.melbournewater.com.au/ seeps into a is directed
perforated pipe onto the
installing a raingarden near a using-and-saving-water-home/
and joins the raingarden
down pipe. Raingardens filter raingardens stormwater
and slow down stormwater that system where Allow 300mm
it is discharged gap from
drains to our creeks when it rains. into the nearest structure
waterway
GREYWATER
Greywater is domestic your backyard using a bucket or
wastewater, excluding toilet diverter. However, the continual
Agi drain
waste which is sometimes discharge of greywater can
referred to as blackwater. It can potentially cause problems for
be a good water resource in dry your garden if not managed.
periods but its reuse can carry
Greywater can contain a
health and environmental risks.
number of micro-organisms
The best quality greywater such as bacteria and viruses,
comes from the rinse water of as well as chemicals from
your washing machine, bath, cleaning agents, so be careful to
shower or hand basin. Toilet follow the tips recommended,
and kitchen wastewater should particularly rotating the areas
always go to sewer. Untreated you water and when
greywater can be diverted on a choosing detergents.
temporary basis to sites within
Further Information
Waterwise Plants and Gardening – Kevin Walsh
Waterwise House and Garden – Allan Windust
www.sgaonline.org.au www.yvw.com.au
www.epa.vic.gov.au www.melbournewater.com.au
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 23GREYWATER DOS AND DON’TS PLANT SELECTION
Factors that will guide plant You should never use plants
selection for your garden that are known environmental
DO DON’T include soil type, drainage weeds. Two thirds of the weeds
patterns, aspect (i.e. full sun, found in Victoria’s natural
• Only use greywater from • Use greywater on vegetable part shade and shade) and environment (parks, and along
baths, showers, hand basins or herb gardens. local climate. Plants need to be waterways and coasts) are
and washing machines grouped together according actually ‘garden escapees’.
• Use greywater that has any
(final rinse water). to their sun/shade, water and Their seeds are spread from
faecal contamination, for
• Only use low phosphate example wastewater used fertiliser needs. Visit a nursery gardens by the wind, birds
detergents. to launder nappies. for advice on plants to suit the and animals or by people
position you have in mind. dumping garden cuttings
• Only use greywater on the • Use kitchen wastewater
into the bush and waterways.
garden and rotate the areas (including dishwashers) It is best to use local
Weeds compete with our local
you water. due to high concentration (indigenous) plants wherever
plants for light, nutrients and
of food wastes and chemicals. possible because they are
• Only apply water that the water. Before too long they can
well suited to the local soil
soil can absorb. • Store greywater for more replace local plants, leaving
and climate. They do not
than 24 hours. native animals without food
• Wash your hands after require large amounts of
or habitat.
watering with greywater. • Let children or pets drink nutrients and, once established,
or play with greywater. need less water. As gardeners we need to
know which plants can escape
• Allow greywater to flow There are many beautiful plants
and destroy our unique natural
from your property or enter local to Darebin. Refer to the
environments. Refer to the
stormwater systems. Darebin Local Plant Guide of
Darebin Garden Escapees Guide.
this booklet or chat to your local
Consider removing these and
STOP indigenous nursery about
replacing potential garden
recommendations.
• Using greywater during escapees with local plants.
wet periods. Please refer to the inside
• Using greywater if odours back cover of this booklet
are generated and plants for more information on
do not appear to be healthy. indigenous plants and
environmental weeds.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 25DAREBIN LOCAL PLANT GUIDE CLIMBERS
These plants are great for Darebin Purple Coral Pea
gardens as they grow here naturally and (Hardenbergia violacea)
are good for native wildlife. Grows to: prostrate or climber 3m.
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil.
Features: Climbing plant useful as
a screening plant. Grows well in pots.
Small-leaved Clematis
Some of these plants provide habitat for... (Clematis microphylla)
Grows to: prostrate or climber 2-4m.
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil.
Features: Climbing plant useful as
a screening plant or ground cover.
Birds Butterflies Frogs Lizards Grows well in pots.
Suitable conditions for plants...
Full Part Shade Drought Needs
Sun Shade Tolerant seasonal
water
Other...
Height Width Suitable
as hedge
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 27GROUNDCOVERS AND WILDFLOWERS
Black Anther Flax-lily Kidney Plant
(Dianella admixta) (Dichondra repens)
Grows to: 30cm-1m 0.5-2.5m Grows to: prostrate creeping herb.
Soil requirements: Well-drained. Soil requirements: Well-drained soils.
Features: Hardy, easily maintained plant. Features: An excellent lawn substitute in
Ideal for growing close to trees. moist shady areas where traffic is light.
Clustered Everlasting Running Postman
(Chrysocephalum semipapposum) (Kennedia prostrata)
Grows to: 30cm-1m 1-3m Grows to: prostrate 1-2.5m
Features: Very hardy. Prune in winter Soil requirements: Accepts most soils
to rejuvenate. Great in rock gardens, but avoid poor drainage.
in pots, under trees or in an open Features: Attractive as a groundcover,
position in the garden. in tubs, hanging baskets, cascading over
rocks, walls and under trees.
Creeping Bossiaea
(Bossiaea prostrata) Tufted Bluebell
(Wahlenbergia communis)
Grows to: 10cm 0.5 - 1.5m
Soil requirements Well-drained soils. Grows to: 15-50cm 15cm
Features: Grows well under other plants. Soil requirements: Moist well-drained soil
Features: Looks great in containers or
when planted amongst grasses.
Cut-leaf Daisy
(Brachyscome multifida)
Grows to: 10-40cm 20cm-1m
Soil requirements: Prefers moist soil and
will tolerate dryness once established.
Features: Grows well in pots. Fast
growing. Light pruning after flowering.
29GRASSES SHRUBS (UP TO 4M)
Kangaroo Grass Austral Indigo
(Themeda triandra) (Indigofera australis)
Grows to: 70-90cm 40-70cm Grows to: 1-2m 1-2 m
Soil requirements: Adaptable to Soil requirements: Well-drained soil.
most soils. Features: Responds well to regular pruning.
Features: Attractive tufting grass.
Gold Dust Wattle
Silky Blue-grass (Acacia acinacea)
(Dichanthium sericeum)
Grows to: 50cm-2.5m 2-4m
Grows to: 30-50cm 30-40cm Soil requirements: Adaptable to most soils
Soil requirements: Well-drained Features: A good low screening plant.
heavy clay soils. Suitable for large pots/tubs. Annual
Features: Blue-grey appearance pruning is beneficial.
provides great contrast.
Hop Goodenia
Wallaby Grasses (Goodenia ovata)
(Rytidosperma spp.)
Grows to: 1-2.5m 1-3m
Grows to: 30-40cm 30-40cm Soil requirements: Prefers damp soil
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil. Features: Fast growing. It responds
Features: Excellent contrast plant in well to pruning.
landscaping. Can make an excellent
lawn if infrequently mown.
Large-leaf Bush-pea
(Pultenaea daphnoides)
Grows to: 1-3m 50cm-2m
Features: Attractive tall shrub.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 31SHRUBS (UP TO 4M)
River Bottlebrush Twiggy Daisy-bush
(Callistemon sieberi) (Olearia ramulosa)
Grows to: 3-10m 2-6m Grows to: 50cm-2.5m 1m
Soil requirements: Adaptable to many soils. Soil requirements: Well-drained soils
Features: Excellent screening shrub. Features: Pruning as the flowers begin
Pruning encourages flowering. to fade usually encourages a further
flush of flowers.
Rock Correa
(Correa glabra)
Grows to: 1-3m 1-3m
Soil requirements: Well-drained soils
Features: Establishes well under
existing trees.
TREES (OVER 4M)
Black Sheoke
Rosemary Grevillea (Allocasuarina littoralis)
(Grevillea rosemarinifolia)
Grows to: 4-8m 2-5m
Grows to: 1-3m 2-3m Soil requirements: Well-drained soil
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil Features: Excellent screen plant
Features: Pruning will encourage more and windbreak.
compact growth. Grows well in large
pots/tubs.
Lightwood
Tree Violet (Acacia implexa)
(Melicytus dentata)
Grows to: 5-15m 4-7m
Grows to: 2-4m 1-2.5m Soil requirements: Adaptable to
Soil requirements: Well-drained soils most soils
Features: It has violet coloured berries. Features: Small screen or shade tree.
33DAREBIN GARDEN ESCAPEES CLIMBERS AND CREEPERS
All the plants in this section are serious garden escapees Blue Periwinkle
in Darebin. Garden escapees are generally more invasive (Vinca major)
than indigenous plants and will often displace native Forms thick carpets.
flora becoming the dominant species very quickly. Leaves broad and glossy
Replace with Purple Coral-pea
Invasive plants reduce rehabilitation programs that (Hardenbergia violacea)
the biodiversity of the can be undertaken. Please
environment and often do not plant these species,
create a monoculture if and if you have them in your Bridal Creeper
left unchecked. Managing garden, please remove them (Asparagus asparagoides)
Garden Escapees is and replace them with one
A scrambling climber. Leaves shiny,
costly and reduces the of the suggested similar non-
broadly oval to round.
level of revegetation and invasive indigenous plants.
Replace with Purple Coral-pea
(Hardenbergia violacea)
English Ivy
(Hedera helix)
Fast climber can grow to 30m up
trees or creeping along the ground
and forming carpets. Shiny, triangular,
dark green leaves with pale veins.
Poisonous if eaten and can cause
skin and eye irritation.
Replace with Small-leafed Clematis
(Clematis microphylla)
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 37CLIMBERS AND CREEPERS GRASSES AND HERBS
Madeira Vine Agapanthus
(Anredera cordifolia) (Agapanthus spp.)
A fast climber that can cover trees Leaves poisonous.
up to 30m tall. Fleshy, egg-shaped leaves Sticky sap can ulcer mouth.
with a heart-shaped base to 12cm long
Replace with Pale Flax-Lily
Replace with Small-leafed Clematis (Dianella longifolia)
(Clematis microphylla)
Arum Lily
Morning Glory
(Zantedeschia aethiopica)
(Ipomoea indica)
Highly poisonous.
Fast growing climber.Leaves spear
shaped, bright green. Replace with Pale Flax-Lily
(Dianella longifolia)
Replace with Large bindweed
(Calystegia sepium)
Moth Plant Fountain Grass
(Araujia sericifera) (Cenchrus setaceus)
A climber that can grow to 10m tall. Replace with Wallaby Grass
Triangular leaves to 11cm long. Fruit (Rytidosperma spp.)
looks like a choko. Poisonous to poultry
and dogs. Sap can cause skin irritation.
Replace with Common Appleberry
(Billardiera scandens) Pampas Grass
(Cortaderia spp.)
Wandering Tradescantia Leaves easily cut the skin and cause
(Tradescantia fluminensis) irritation when handled.
Forms thick carpets. Glossy green Replace with Thatch Saw-sedge
leaves, oval to 4cm. Can cause allergic (Gahnia radula)
reaction to dogs with skin irritation
particularly on the stomach.
Replace with Kidney Plant 37
(Dichondra repens)SHRUBS
Castor Oil Plant Flax leaf Broom
(Ricinus communis) (Genista linifolia)
Highly poisonous seeds. Seeds highly poisonous.
Replace with Prickly Currant-bush Replace with Slender Bitter-pea
(Coprosma quadrifida) (Daviesia leptophylla)
and Golden Spray
(Viminaria junceae)
Cootamundra Wattle
(Acacia baileyana) Lantana hybrids
(Lantana camara)
Replace with Black Wattle
(Acacia mearnsii) Toxic to humans and animals.
Replace with Small leaved clematis
(Clematis microphylla)
Cotoneaster
(Cotoneaster spp.) Mirror Bush
(Coprosma repens)
Berries contain toxins that can be
harmful to infants if eaten. Replace with Prickly Currant-bush
(Coprosma quadrifida) and Boobialla
Replace with Prickly Currant-bush
(Myoporum insulare)
(Coprosma quadrifida)
English Broom
(Cytisus scoparius)
Seeds poisonous if eaten in quantity
Replace with Slender Bitter-pea
(Daviesia leptophylla)
and Golden Spray
(Viminaria junceae)
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 39SHRUBS TREES
Montpellier Broom Desert Ash
(Genista monspessulana) (Fraxinus angustifolia)
Seeds highly poisonous Replace with Blackwood
(Acacia melanoxylon)
Replace with Gold-dust Wattle
(Acacia acinacea)
Prickly Pears Pine Tree
(Optunia spp.) (Pinus spp.)
Replace with Kangaroo Apple Replace with Drooping Sheoak
(Solanum laciniatum) (Allocasuaraina verticillata)
Sweet Briar Sweet Pittosporum
(Rosa rubiginosa) (Pittosporum undulatum)
Replace with Sweet Bursaria Replace with Muttonwood
(Bursaria spinosa) (Rapanea howittiana)
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 41HABITAT FOOD GARDENING
GARDENING You are on your way to a
Attracting native animals sustainable garden if you: There’s nothing more satisfying than harvesting your fresh
to your garden can assist vegetables, fruits and herbs straight from your garden.
Know the difference between There are many great reasons to grow your own produce.
in pest control, encourages
native, indigenous and
pollination and helps contribute
exotic plants • Home grown food is healthy. • Backyard food production can
to conservation by providing
habitat connections between Have more than 30% of your Fruit and vegetables begin help to cultivate a relationship
bushland areas. All you need garden planted with plants to lose their vitamins as soon with your soil and the Earth, and
to do is provide wildlife visitors listed in the Darebin Local as they’re picked. After five connects you with the seasons
with sources of food, water and Plant Guide days some have lost 40–50% and the cycles of nature. A
shelter. More information on of vitamins. homegrown tomato tastes
Do not have any of the so much better not just freshly
habitat gardening can be found plants listed in the Darebin • When you grow your own
at www.sga.org.au and www. picked, but when you have to
Garden Escapees Guide vegetables, you know exactly
gardensforwildlifevictoria.com wait for them.
what has gone into it and
Have at least one shade tree • Gardening is therapy. Food
so you can make sure your
of suitable size for your gardening can be a gentle,
produce is free from harmful
garden relaxing and stress-lowering
chemicals.
form of exercise.
Have reduced your lawn area • It is better for the enviroment
to less than 50% of total and our resilience to climate • Children love to watch
garden area change. Your organic, home- vegetables grow. Your garden
grown produce is fresher, can become an opportunity for
Have grouped your plants more nutritious and more children to learn, explore,
according to their water, sun delicious than conventionally experiment and taste new
and nutrient needs farmed fruit, vegetables and flavours. It can also connect
herbs. The fruit and vegetables kids (and adults) to how their
Regularly observe native sold in supermarkets are often food is grown.
birds, reptiles, insects and bred for aesthetics, long shelf
animals in your garden life and resistance to bruising
during transport. This means
Have provided extra sources they are grown using a lot of
of food, water and shelter energy, water, chemical fertilisers
for wildlife. and pesticides. Growing food
locally and organically reduces
greenhouse gas emissions
and your environmental
footprint.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 43TIPS FOR SETTING UP AND MAINTAINING
YOUR VEGETABLE PATCH
1 3 5 7 8 9
Fruit and vegetables You can grow To avoid compacting Before planting, The soil of vegetable For beginners,
generally like to vegetables in your soil from consider putting gardens need to seedlings and large
grow in the full sun, garden beds, no walking on it, either in a drip irrigation be kept moist most seeds are the easiest
so make sure to dig beds (these can make a large bed watering system. days, particularly to grow and can be
pick a sunny part of be put in over old with a few paths Drip irrigation when plants are planted directly into
your garden for your concrete or paving), through it, or make systems are more small. It’s best to the garden. Follow
vegetable patch and wicking beds, or smaller beds where water efficient and, water plants in the the directions on
fruit trees. even big pots. you can reach dependent on water morning as evening the packet or label
without stepping into restrictions, can watering can result for plant space
2 4 them (an average be set on a timer in higher mould requirements. Once
reach is 60cm, so to save you having and fungi problems. planted, water them
Fruit and vegetables Use recycled plastic
if you can walk on to hand water. In winter you may in thoroughly.
need more water sleepers, bricks,
either side a bed You may want to rarely need to water
and richer soil than large stones or
local and native recycled hardwood
could be 1.2m wide). consider putting due to rain and 10
in a rainwater tank low evaporation.
plants so it’s best to make raised beds. Try heritage
to grow them in Never use treated 6 specifically for your However when its
seeds. The fruit
produce garden. warmer you may
separate parts of the wood, tyres or To enrich your soil and vegetables
Mulching your need to water at
garden. Read the anything that may for food gardening of heritage plants
garden also least three times
soil chapter on page have been treated add organic generally ripen
saves water. a week, or every
8 for information on with chemicals fertilisers such as gradually so you
day in particularly
testing your soil for which will leach into compost, sheep or don’t have too
hot weather. Fruit
contamination and the soil. cow manure, and much produce
trees need a deep
improving soil to blood and bone. at once. You can
watering at least
get the best results. How much you purchase heritage
once a week. Pots
need depends on variety seeds and
dry out quicker than
the quality of your seedlings from the
gardens and may
soil. Many gardens Diggers Club -
need daily watering
will benefit from at www.diggers.com.au
– check the soil.
least one large bag or try saving
of manure and a few your own!
handfuls of blood
and bone for every
few square meters
of garden bed.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 45BUSHFOODS
Bushfoods are edible Australian native plants and are a great
11 12 13 way to grow foods that are suited to our local environment.
Try planting If you can, try Spread pea straw Here are some common bushfoods you can grow at home:
long lasting staggering the or lucerne straw
(perennial) crops planting of your over your vegetable
that don’t need crops over time. For patch to reduce
to be replanted example, plant early water loss due to
every year. This and then late season evaporation. Leave
can save you time tomatoes to get a few centimetres
and money. Great produce from early gap around plants
perennial crops summer to autumn, to avoid rotting the
include asparagus, or plant a few bok stem. This straw will
strawberries, choi every two break down over
currants, globe weeks so you have time and provide Murnong / Warrigal greens Coastal saltbush
artichokes, some a regular supply nutrients and Yam daisy A vigorous An evergreen shrub
chilli bushes, rather then too organic matter A perennial which groundcover that grows to 1.5m.
passionfruit vines, many all at once. to the soil. produces a yellow producing edible Leaves can be eaten
grape vines, fruit Consider planting dandelion-like flower leaves that are fresh in salads or
trees, nut trees, and crops that can be 14 and dies down to a high in oxalic cooked. Drought
woody herbs such harvested all season. tuber over summer. acid. Prepare by tolerant and does
Plant flowering The white tuberous blanching leaves, not like over-
as rosemary, sage, For example,
plants to attract roots are edible raw discard water and watering.
oregano, lemon silverbeet, kale or
bees and pollinators or baked and the add to cooking as
verbena and thyme. lettuce from which
to your garden. bitter leaves can you would spinach.
Grow mint in a pot you can take a few
as it can take over in leaves at a time and be added to salads. Prefers a moist, well-
garden beds. they will continue
15 Likes rich loamy drained position in
to grow. Rotate the position soil, a well-drained sun to part shade.
of vegetables position in full sun.
every year to stop
diseases spreading.
Further Information
The Australian Vegetable Book – Clive Blazey
Natural Gardening in Australia – Jeffrey Hodges
City of Darebin’s Sow What When Seed Planting Guide
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 47CHEMICAL FREE GARDENING
Pesticides and fertilisers can Too much fertiliser can
move from our garden to the put extra nutrients in our
natural environment. Sprays waterways and result in blue-
can drift in the wind and green algae growing out of
powders can wash into control and harming animals
Pigface Lemon Myrtle River mint waterways. Strong chemicals and sometimes people.
A prostrate creeping A small tree used An edible and can kill our native insects, plants
succulent that in cuisine and as medicinal herb. Can and animals.
is salt and wind a healing plant. be used fresh or
tolerant. Great Leaves have a lovely dried in cooking or
for around pools, lemon scent which made into tea for Reducing chemical use
hanging baskets, can be used to make coughs, colds and
rock gardens or as a delicious teas, or stomach cramps.
Don’t spray / Identify Don’t over
ground cover. Likes dried and ground to Leaves can be sprinkle chemicals the problem fertilise your
a well-drained spot add to shortbread rubbed on the on a windy day plants
with full sun to part and cakes. Prefers skin as an insect or before rain
shade and grows a partly shaded repellent. A great Target spray
pest only
easily from stem protected position. plant for a damp,
cuttings. Prune in shady position. Best Space plants to
winter. controlled in a pot. encourage air
circulation
Encourage
Finger lime insect eating
birds
A thorny tree that grows to 2-3m. There
are many cultivars with a diversity in taste Leave grass
and fruit colours ranging from green, clippings
yellow, black, purple or red, which ripen on lawn
winter through to spring. The caviar- Use low
like fruit is delicious in drinks, deserts or nitrogen
garnishes. Like all citrus, finger limes like LAWN fertiliser
well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7. (reduce)
CERES Bushfoods Nursery ceres.org.au LAWN
(reduce)
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 49REASONS TO HAVE A NATURAL PEST MANAGEMENT
CHEMICAL FREE GARDEN IN YOUR VEGGIE PATCH
1 2 4 Even a healthy garden may Practice good garden hygiene
attract a range of pests which and be careful about what
Many insects in Too much fertiliser Organic fertilisers can be a nuisance to the you bring into your garden.
the garden such makes plants improve the soil food gardener. Natural pest If you have been in an area
as ladybirds are produce a lot of structure meaning management is a method of with known pest or diseases
“good guys” that leafy growth that the soil is better controlling pests without the then clean your clothes and
will hunt and eat often becomes a able to hold use of harmful chemicals. shoes before wearing them
pests such as target for pests. water and make it in your garden to prevent
Healthy plants are resilient
aphids. If you spray available to plants. contamination. Sanitise tools
plants, while stressed and
lots of chemicals 3 Synthetic fertilisers
unhealthy plants are more
with methylated spirits.
in your garden you add nothing to
Organic fertilisers susceptible to pests and Some garden bugs might be
will also kill these the soil structure
such as compost, diseases. Promote plant health useful predators of common
beneficial insects and tend to move
manures, seaweed by starting with a good garden pests, such as ladybirds,
and make your pest easily from the soil
and fish emulsion design and plant selection parasitic wasps, hoverflies,
problem harder to after heavy rain or
break down more that matches your conditions. spiders and lacewings. To
control. Multi sprays watering.
slowly than synthetic Regularly add organic matter encourage beneficial insects:
in particular kill
(chemical) fertilisers like compost, animal manure grow plants with small flowers
anything they touch.
and generally match
5 or worm castings to create (like alyssum, calendula and
the rate at which Check the SGA healthy soil. daisies) or umbelliferous flowers
plants need the ‘Safe for you ‘n’ (like parsley and yarrow).
nutrients. Synthetic Nature’ for low Plants require good air
fertilisers break down environmental movement and access to Try companion planting, and
quickly and can impact products.’ for sunlight as pests and diseases plant aromatic herbs, such as
‘burn’ plant roots. low environmental thrive in high humidity. Pruning, oregano and rosemary, amongst
impact products. training and good site selection your vegetables to encourage
www.sgaonline. all contribute to improved air biodiversity and disguise their
org.au circulation. scent from pests, or plant pest
prone vegetables amongst
different plants to hide their
foliage.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 51When seedlings are young you You are on your way to a Save our Citrus Melbourne
might need to check for snails, sustainable garden if you: provides education and awareness
slugs and caterpillars as a small Check your garden regularly about Citrus Gall Wasp.
plant can be eaten very quickly. for pest outbreaks www.bluebeegardendesign.
Hand remove or go out at night com.au/save-our-citrus
Know exactly what pest
and drown snails in a bucket
or disease you are trying
of saltwater. Beer traps work
to control
well with slugs. Try making
DIY plant guards out of large Use homemade sprays over Citrus Gall Wasp Another organic treatment
plastic bottles by removing chemical pesticides and method involves spraying kaolin
the lid and bottom, and place herbicides Citrus gall wasp is a common
clay twice during the citrus gall
over seedlings to protect them. pest causing significant damage
Plant flowers that attract wasp emergence period, which
Cabbage moths have been to citrus trees across Darebin.
beneficial insects to your starts in October. This disrupts
known to be territorial and These small black wasps lay
garden. the laying of eggs.
fake cabbage moth ‘decoys’ eggs into the bark of soft stems
near your brassicas can be Use organic fertilisers in Spring, causing tissue to form Avoid over-feeding with high
effective. You can download a (compost, manure, seaweed around the larvae which swells to nitrogen fertiliser in late winter /
template from www.darebin and fish emulsions) develop into a characteristic gall. early spring. Burn any prunings
foodharvestnetwork.org.au. and do not put prunings in
Don’t over-fertilise your plants Traditional advice for controlling
You can also try homemade your green waste bin as this
as it produces excessive plant citrus gall wasp has been
garlic and chilli sprays. can spread the pest. Talk to
growth and excess green to prune trees of gall in late
your neighbours and get them
waste from additional pruning winter / early spring. However
to treat their citrus too, so that
this method encourages new
Can name three common you don’t get re-infested by the
growth in spring, which creates
types of pests you might neighbour’s wasps flying over
ideal conditions when the wasp
find in your garden the fence.
emerges and repeats their cycle.
New advice is to shave galls back
using a sharp knife or potato
peeler to expose and kill larvae.
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 53More information at:
www.sgaonline.org.au/
preventing-spread-of- GET INVOLVED
the-queensland-fruit-fly/
One of the great joys of growing These are informal community
food is the abundant harvest gatherings where you can
season. Preserve your produce meet your neighbours and
for leaner harvest times by trade fruit, vegetables, herbs,
Queensland Fruit Fly To prevent QFF from getting learning to pickle, ferment, seeds, cuttings, preserves,
established in your area, you bottle or freeze your recipes, garden resources,
Queensland fruit fly (QFF) is a
can use: homegrown produce. You can kombucha scobies and other
serious pest for home gardeners,
share it with your family, friends homemade goodies. To find
hobby farmers and commercial • bait sprays or gel onto the
and neighbours, or list them on your closest food swap, visit
fruit growers. QFF lays their trunk and foliage to attract
your local Good Karma Network Darebin Food Harvest
eggs in many common fruits and kill QFF
www.goodkarmaeffect.com. Network www.darebinfood
and vegetables, making the flesh
• netting, bags or sleeves to harvestnetwork.org.au or
rot and leaving them inedible. You can also swap your excess
stop female QFF from laying www.transitiondarebin.org
Adult QFF are about seven for other home garden produce
eggs inside fruit
millimetres long and are reddish- at your local food swap.
brown in colour, with distinct • traps to monitor fruit fly activity
yellow markings. If you find fruit fly affected fruit
on your property, boil or place
all the affected fruit in a double
lined plastic bag, leave it in the
sun for a week to kill larvae, then
put in the general waste bin. It
should NOT be put in the food
and green waste recycling bin
or compost as the composting
process is not guaranteed to
kill the fruit fly larvae and there
remains the risk of spreading
fruit fly to other areas.
Further Information
Bug: The Ultimate Gardener’s Guide to
Organic Pest Control – Tim Marshall
Natural Control of Garden Pests – Jackie French
What Garden Pest or Disease is That? – Judy McMaugh
www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds 55PERMACULTURE PLANTING Some community gardens have 3000acres are a not-for-
a wait list. If you want to start profit that helps community
GARDEN DESIGN NATURE STRIPS
a new one, two resources are groups plan and establish
AND SUPPORT Communal gardening can also available to get you started: new community garden and
Permaculture is an integrated take place on nature strips composting projects around
provided Council’s guidelines are Communal Food Garden
sustainable design system that Melbourne. They have a guide
followed. Find Darebin’s Nature Assessment Guidelines
aims to create environments to starting new community
Strip Planting Guidelines and Outlines the process and
and landscapes that mimic gardens on their website, and
complete a Nature Strip Planting responsibilities of both the
natural patterns and energy can assist the community with
Application Form here: applicant and Council when
flows in cooperation with nature free information and advice.
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ assessing a site
to produce food, fibre and www.3000acres.org.au
environment for a community garden
energy. There are three guiding
ethics that guide decision Communal Food Garden Site
making: People Care, Fair Share Assessment Checklist
and Earth Care. Can help you assess the You are on your way to a
suitability of a potential site. sustainable garden if you:
Permablitzes are community
working bees to design edible You can find both documents here: Grow your own organic
gardens, share permaculture www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ herbs, vegetables or fruits
and sustainable living skills and environment
Preserve or swap your
build local community networks excess harvest
of gardeners helping each other.
www.permablitz.net Plant flowers to attract
pollinators and beneficial
CERES runs a number of insects
sustainable gardening and
permaculture courses and
workshops to help you grow
and process food. COMMUNITY
www.CERES.org.au/education GARDENS
If you don’t have enough space
for a veggie patch at home you
could consider joining your local
community garden. To find one Further Information
close to you, visit the Darebin
Permaculture One - David Holmgren and Bill Mollison
Food Harvest Network website’s
Introduction to Permaculture - Bill Mollison
community garden map:
Earth User’s Guide to Permaculture - Rosemary Morrow
www.darebinfoodharvest
RetroSuburbia - David Holmgren
network.org.au.
Backyard Self-Sufficiency – Jackie French
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 57HOW CAN I MAKE MY GARDEN MORE SUSTAINABLE - YOUR NOTES Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 59
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
For advice on Nurseries stocking indigenous
indigenous plants and plants suitable for Darebin
environmental weeds
Latrobe Indigenous
Darebin City Council, Plant Nursery
Bushland Management La Trobe University (Bundoora)
Phone 8470 8888 campus. Access via La Trobe
www.darebin.vic.gov.au Ave (near the roundabout
on Main Drive).
Merri Creek Management
Phone (03) 9479 1206
Committee
Phone 9380 8199 Victorian Indigenous
www.mcmc.org.au Nurseries Co-op (VINC)*
Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield.
Darebin Creek
Phone 9482 1710
Management Committee
Phone 9499 4454 Ceres Indigenous Bush Nursery
www.dcmc.org.au 8 Lee St, East Brunswick.
Phone 9389 0111
For free sustainable gardening
information and advice go to *SGA Environmentally Certified
Garden Centre
www.SGAonline.org.au
Further reading
Flora of Melbourne: A Guide
to the Indigenous Plants of
the Greater Melbourne Area.
Marilyn Bull. (2014).
Native Trees and Shrubs
of South-Eastern Australia.
L.F. Costermans (2009)
Habitat: A Practical Guide to
Creating a Wildlife Friendly
Australian Garden
AB Bishop (2018)
Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 61You can also read
