Go native in the garden

Free help is available to Eurobodalla residents who would like to grow more native plants and create a more environmentally-friendly garden.

Eurobodalla Council’s free bush-friendly garden program offers a home visit from a member of Council's sustainability team, who can help residents identify plants, suggest appropriate natives, provide advice on weeds and give great general tips on making gardens more water-wise.

Advice is tailored to residents’ needs and interests, such as wanting more colour, attracting frogs or birds, or creating a low-maintenance garden.

Council’s natural resource officer Courtney Fink-Downes said the visits suited anyone who had an established garden, or was creating a new one.

“Bush-friendly gardens feature plants suited to our local soil and climate, so they tend to grow better and require less water and maintenance,” she said.

“That doesn’t mean they need to look boring – bush-friendly gardens can provide flowers all year round and come in all shapes and sizes.

“They can also attract some lovely and colourful visitors and provide much-needed food for birds, butterflies, lizards and frogs.

“By making your garden more bush friendly you’re supporting the local environment by using less water and removing problem plants that can become weeds, as well as providing food and shelter for our shire’s smallest residents. Watching birds feeding on flowers in your own garden is nice too.”

Council’s bush-friendly garden visit includes a voucher for the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden nursery, and information about weeds and good alternatives.

To book your visit phone Council’s natural resource officer Courtney Fink-Downes on 4474 7493 or email [email protected]