Native garden tips with Apace WA

North Fremantle nursery Apace WA are gurus when it comes to the garden.

This long-running nursery has over 38 years of history behind it and a strong connection to the local community.

Apace WA began as a voluntary community group established by North Fremantle residents in 1982, before becoming a non-for-profit charity in 1985.

They’ve called 1 Johannah Street in North Fremantle home ever since, even helping to restore the 1892-buillt Winter House that occupies the site and planting some of the trees you see along the riverbank today.

The group also created Perth’s first community garden in 1982, which continues to operate today.

Apace Coordinator Joann Heta said education and community connection is at the heart of what they do. “Apace grows over 500,000 native plants specialising in species of the Swan Coastal Plains,” she said. It’s a team of 18 employees and more than 20 volunteers who work behind the scenes to make Apace the community asset it is.

“We employ experts in native plants to run the nursery, propagate seed, facilitate courses and advise schools, Friends groups and the community,” Jo said.

When it comes to choosing the right plants for your garden, Jo says research is crucial.

“Researching the right plants for your area will help ensure the plants purchased will survive and flourish in your garden,” she said.

“The list of suitable plants is extensive and it can also depend on other factors relating to the site including if it’s full sun, shady or limestone rock.”

The suburb selector tool on the Apace website is a helpful resource for helping to choose suitable plants.

You can also pop into the nursery and ask the friendly staff for their advice on what to plant.

“Native plants are one of the best types to grow and are very hardy,” Jo said.

“The advantage of growing native plants is they are waterwise and once they have been established for 12 months they require very little additional watering.”

There are plenty of native plants to choose from that are suited to Fremantle soils including Banksias, Acacia and Eucalyptus species.

For people with small yards, Jo recommends low growing shrubs and groundcovers. “Eremophilias and Grevilleas are always a huge favourite of mine,” she said.

Fremantle residents can take advantage of a number of initiatives to improve their garden, including free mulch from the Fremantle Recycling Centre.

Mulching is a great way to reduce plant stress and evaporation loss, suppress weed growth and even improve the appearance of your garden.

Simply visit Fremantle Recycling Centre during opening hours with a trailer and proof of residence to collect the mulch.

Residents can also apply for a free verge tree year-round, with planting taking place during April–June each year.

Be sure to also keep an eye out for the annual Apace native plant subsidy, which offers discounted native plants to residents during the month of May.

Find out more at Apace WA.