in the Western Water region Western Water Address: 36 Macedon St, Sunbury Contents Postal Address: PO Box 2371, Sunbury DC Vic 3429 Telephone: 1300 650 422 Fax: (03) 9218 5444 Introduction 2 Email: [email protected] Website: www.westernwater.com.au design 4 Soil 6

Macedon Ranges Shire Council 8 Address: Town Hall, Worm farming 10 129 Mollison Street, Kyneton VIC 3444 Postal Address: PO Box 151, Watering 11 Kyneton VIC 3444 Vegetable 17 Telephone: (03) 5422 0333 Fax: (03) 5422 3623 gardening 18 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au Local 24 Sustainable plants 31 Invasive plants 32 Sustainable Gardening (SGA) Address: 6 Manningham Road West, alternatives 38 Bulleen Vic 3105 Chemicals 39 Telephone: (03) 8850 3050 Fax: (03) 9852 1097 Sustainable product selection 40 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sgaonline.org.au

This booklet was produced by Western Water and Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The original booklet was produced for the City of Darebin with kind permission to modify.

© Sustainable Gardening Australia 2013

Text by Sustainable Gardening Australia. www.sgaonline.org.au Photographs by Russell Best, James Booth, Chris Clark, Michael Cincotta, Naina Knoess, Martin Lagerwey, Elaine Shallue, Mary Trigger and Tabitha Barclay.

Design www.nainak.com.au • Printed on Cyclus recycled paper • Vegetable dyes used. Printed in 2013. Sustainable Gardening in the Western Water region is a companion booklet to Home Harvest in the Western Disclaimer: Although precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, the publishers, Water region: a guide to growing produce. To obtain a authors and printers cannot accept responsibility for any claim, loss, damage or liability arising out of the use copy of Home Harvest, visit www.westernwater.com.au. of the information published. Western Water bioregions Bioregions are defined as large land areas whose particular soil, climate, Introduction topography and rainfall patterns give rise to a unique blend of plants and animals. The Western Water region is home to two major Victorian It is easy to create beautiful that suit our bioregions representing an astonishing array of , flora and local climate and soil and have a low impact on our fauna. . Sustainable gardens are low Home looking to create sustainable gardens can benefit from knowing their bioregion and which plants and animals are locally native to maintenance as they require less watering, lower the area, as well as being better able to garden in harmony with their soil, application of fertilisers and chemicals, and less climate and rainfall. mowing and . CVU - Central LANCEFIELD Victorian Uplands Lancefield Resevoir Garden Hut Resevoir Granite outcrops and

D

R

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EL soaring hills are typical I

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C ROMSEY

AN of the CVU. Soils are WOODEND L Kerrie Resevoir poor, however alluvial & Glenfern Basin

RD E N MT MACEDON deposits in the river R BO IS G -

SH R MACEDON valleys can produce MA S U H

C C a more fertile soil. A B NEW GISBORNE Rosslynne The Central Victorian Resevoir CA L D E S R U Uplands typically have GISBORNE N F BU - COI W EST M R RS R A Y Y GGE D DI G A RD I R I S D higher rainfall and

B

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R N SUNBURY E cooler temperatures. R

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Gardening can have a positive • purchase renewable resources MELTO N HWY WESTERN FWY benefit to the health of our for the garden instead of non- Pykes Creek Resevoir VVP - Victorian environment. When we: renewable resources, it can help MYRNIONG Djerriwarrh Resevoir DIGGERS REST Volcanic Plains Merrimu • use local plants, we provide protect our old growth forests and Resevoir river ecosystems. Typically the food and shelter for birds and BACCHUS MARSH MELTON landscape is flat butterflies Gardening is all about creating with the occasional ROCKBANK • conserve water in the garden, it a beautiful environment. It is Melton extinct volcanic Resevoir helps to maintain water levels in important that we create diverse cone protruding. our reservoirs and interesting gardens for our EYNESBURY Soils are variable but • reduce chemical use in the garden, family and friends to come together often acidic clay is there will be less chemicals in our to work, play and socialise. prominent. The climate creeks and streams This booklet has been designed to in the VVP tends to be • compost our household and provide information and inspiration dry and windy. garden organic waste, it reduces to create your own sustainable the amount of waste going garden in the Western Water region. into landfill and therefore cuts the amount of gas produced For a more detailed map visit: www.data.vic.gov.au_bioregionmap

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 2 3 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region

Do a site analysis: Garden design • where are your sun/shade areas in summer and winter? To design a sustainable garden you need to • do you have any wind tunnels? formal decide what space is available, how much time • do you have any significant contemporary you have to tend to your garden and what type of slopes? • are there any drainage issues? native garden you would like to create. • where are your taps? cottage • what are your access issues?

Think carefully about Think about the style of what you would like garden you would like to to incorporate in your develop. garden. Do you want a formal garden, a Do you need a shed for tools, a space , a native garden, for a compost bin, an entertainment succulent beds or an informal riot of area, a cubby house, a clothesline, colour and textures? Flick through a shady space for reading, a vegie garden magazines. Check out what patch or a space to kick the footy is working in your neighbours’ with the kids? gardens. What currently exists? Do you have Develop a scaled plan and work out straight garden beds that would be what would comfortably go where. more interesting curved? Do you Consider locations that are practical have a slab of concrete down the e.g. a vegie or herb patch near the back that could be replaced with back door; compost bin down the raised garden beds and granitic back in full sun. Decide what needs sand paths? to be done first. Remember it doesn’t all have to be done immediately but What plants do you have in your rather according to a plan. garden? Have they been grouped according to their water needs?

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 4 5 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Soil

Soil improvement tips works. Digging destroys the soil Soil structure, destroying air holes and • Soil should be damp before you drainage spaces. add mulch. Generally spring is the Healthy soil = healthy plants. Soil needs organic • When watering use a trigger hose best time to apply mulch, once the with a spray setting. Concentrated matter (leaf litter, compost, manure, grass winter rains have soaked in. pressure from the water stream clippings). Worms break down organic matter to • Spreading compost over your soil can close up valuable air spaces. (before mulching) will encourage make food for plants, and worm burrows allow worms in your garden. Pea straw air into the soil so that roots can breathe. and lucerne are good options if Soils in your region you have not mulched the soil for a long time as they break down There are a wide variety of soils quickly, returning nutrients to the across the Western Water region soil – excellent for the vegie from the alluvial soils of Bacchus garden! Bark mulch has very Marsh to the deep red soils of Mount few nutrients so don’t rely on Macedon. These soils drain well and The benefits of mulch it to improve your soil. are excellent for gardening. • Mulches made from reclaimed By far the most challenging soil Mulch layer breaks down gardeners have to work with are Reduced green waste are an excellent to add nutrients to the soil the volcanic clay soils. These soils evaporation (50-100mm depth) choice as they save water, are long lasting and feed the soil when they harden when dry and become ‘sticky’ and waterlogged when Weeds pull break down. out easily wet. Gardeners can either focus • Mulch should be applied 50- on growing local plants that have Less germination 100mm deep, and will need to be adapted to these soils, or improve (weed seeds topped up every year. Avoid mulch screened from light) the soil to enable a wider range of from rare forest types like Red plants to be grown. Gum and recycled wooden pellets. To improve a clay soil you will • Soil improvement (such as pea need to work on your topsoil before straw placed on the soil surface) is you plant out. Sprinkle gypsum generally only required for exotic across the surface like a layer of plants, vegetables and fruit trees. icing sugar. Add lots of organic Most local and native plants like a matter, such as compost and aged relatively infertile soil. Typically animal manures, to your garden For more information on soil types, mulches and compost, visit the Sustainable they prefer a bush mulch or beds. Regularly top up with organic Gardening Australia website and search fact sheets at: www.sgaonline.org.au recycled timber mulch on its own, matter to prevent the soil clumping without soil improvement. together. You can purchase soil, mulch and compost at various nurseries and garden • When buying new soil for your suppliers in the Western Water region. Organic mulch can be purchased garden don’t just buy topsoil, buy from some transfer stations. Refer to your local council website for further a soil that is mixed with recycled information. In the Macedon Ranges, organic mulch can be purchased at Kyneton, organics or compost. Woodend and Romsey Transfer Stations. Bring along your trailer and pick up a load. For prices visit: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au and search ‘mulch for purchase’. • Don’t cultivate your soil unless it is very compacted after building

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 6 7 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Compost Compost Building a layered compost heap When food and garden materials are broken 1. Build your compost in thin layers (3 to 10cm). down they can turn into compost which is an 2. Alternate high nitrogen (e.g. food scraps) and low nitrogen (e.g. dry leaves) layers. excellent source of free garden food and soil 3. Aim for a ratio of 3 buckets low improver. nitrogen to 1 bucket high nitrogen. 4. Use a diversity of materials. Compost can be made at home or is be dug into the soil. Unless the soil readily available commercially. Aged needs to be improved, the compost animal manures and can be laid on top and simply forked This diagram is an example of the different layers. Alternating kitchen (worm castings) are rich in nutrients in. Mulch layers will also break down and garden waste layers with an occasional layer of manure works well. and are excellent for use in the home over time to add nutrients to the soil. garden. Compost does not have to

ADD KEEP OUT to your compost of your compost

• Fruit and vegie scraps • Meat and scraps • Coffee grounds – they can attract vermin • Tea bags • Dairy • Herbs – again they attract vermin • Leaves • Office paper • Egg shells – crushed – bleached or glossy • Pizza containers • Weed seeds and bulbs – you will only spread • Egg cartons them around your garden • Vacuum cleaner dust • Bird, dog and cat poo • Onion – outer skin – can be a health risk • Finely chopped citrus peel • Large tree branches • Grass clippings – unless you’ve put them – thin layers 3-4cm through a chipper • Chopped • Citrus fruit • Weeds – okay in small quantities – not bulbs or seed heads • Diseased plants • Shredded newspapers – spreads disease Compost bins can be purchased from your local nursery or hardware store.

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 8 9 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Worm farming Watering Keeping worms in containers and feeding them fruit Australia is one of the driest continents on earth. and vegetable scraps is an excellent way to reduce the Water use in the garden is a major contributor to high amount of organic waste you place into your garbage water consumption levels throughout the Western bin. Worm farms can be purchased from garden Water region. centres and come with instructions, bedding material By improving the soil and using alternative water and a bag of worms. sources for the garden such as rain water collected There are specific composting worms that eat food in tanks, storm water directed into the garden, grey scraps only and are different to the earthworms water and installing efficient irrigation systems along that you find in your garden. Worms produce rich with good garden design, significant water savings inexpensive garden fertiliser, called worm castings can be made. and worm tea, that is great for your garden.

Food Temperature Water tips • Check and clean your irrigation Worms may not eat for the first Worms stop eating if they are cold system every spring. • Plant local (indigenous) native weeks after introduction and then and will die if they are too hot. They plants to reduce water use and • Position irrigation systems so slowly build their appetite. If you like a temperature between 18-24ºC maintenance. that water isn’t wasted on paths, are adding more food than the so it is important to keep your worms patios, driveways and buildings. worms can eat, your worm farm in a shady place out of direct sunlight • Group plants according to their may become smelly as the food rots. in summer and warm in winter. water needs • Install garden tap timers to Be sure to monitor and adjust the reduce over-watering. • Water the base of plants, not the amount of food you are giving your Using your castings and worm tea leaves and use mulch to reduce • Use a rain sensor in your garden worms. Avoid onion, garlic, citrus Castings can be mixed directly into evaporation and run-off. so that watering doesn’t occur fruit, bread and meat. the soil around your plants or before automatically when it is wet. you add seedlings to the soil. Because • Use a drip watering system or Moisture worm castings will never burn porous hose which cuts wastage • Check the weather forecast to Worms need to keep their skin cool plants, you can use as much as you by ensuring that the water only avoid watering before rain. and moist to breathe. Keep a few like. Worm tea is a strong nutrient goes where it is needed. layers of moist newspaper over the boost for your plants and needs to be • Stop water evaporating before top of your worms before placing a lid diluted 1:10 in water before you add • Avoid micro-sprays. They waste it reaches your plant roots by on your worm farm. Do not flood to your plants. up to 70% water through drift watering in the early morning - your worms and take care not to and evaporation and, if the soil is subject to restrictions. leave your worm farm uncovered mulched, water will not penetrate if it rains. If your worm farm is the soil. too wet it will attract small vinegar BE INFORMED ABOUT WATER RESTRICTIONS flies. Add torn up newspaper to absorb excess moisture. Details on current water restrictions and Permanent Water Saving Rules can be found at www.westernwater.com.au or phone 1300 650 422

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 10 11 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Watering Watering Rainwater tanks Permanent water saving urban design A rainwater tank is a good way Before urbanisation, rainfall would slowly percolate into the soil before to reduce the amount of mains seeping into our waterways through the groundwater table. This (drinking) water used on your process slowed down the rate of flow and improved the quality of . Collecting rainwater from by removing excess nutrients and pollutants. In modern times much the roof will provide water for the of our urban landscape has hard surfaces and is impervious to water. garden that is not subject to the Consequently, when it rains, a large volume of water rapidly enters our same restrictions as mains water. stormwater system carrying pollutants, affecting flow rates and often resulting in the erosion of river beds and banks. Rainwater tanks can also be used to directly supply water to the With thoughtful consideration and careful planning, you can direct a toilet, bathroom and laundry. If considerable amount of stormwater onto your garden thereby maximising mains water is connected to a the use of this valuable and reducing the volume entering our rainwater tank the water must be waterways, whilst improving its quality. used in compliance with current water restrictions for garden use. Porous paving Landscaping Victorian Government rebates are available for rainwater tanks under If you are putting down paving on By introducing gentle slopes across some circumstances. Visit the pathways, driveways or courtyards, the surface of patios, driveways and Western Water website and search consider a porous alternative. paths you can direct water onto ‘rebates’. Commercial concrete grid and your garden beds. modular plastic blocks are available. The ideal tank size will depend on By creating a small swale what the water will be used for, the Consider laying your pavers with (vegetated channel) you can also size of your roof and local rainfall spaces in between that will enable direct rainwater away from paved patterns. The larger the tank the water to percolate into the soil. areas and onto your garden. Granitic sand and gravel paths more expensive it will be, and Consider directing runoff into a require more maintenance than obviously the more room it needs. small that can become a pavers, but they look fantastic. A smaller tank might be enough to wonderful frog habitat. provide water for occasional use, but is not likely to last through the spacing summer. For greater certainty of supply, and to reduce your water between pavers use overall, a larger tank is needed. A tank holding 3000 litres or more enables water is ideal for summer watering. Also consider whether a pump will be to percolate needed to move water around your garden, as there is less water into the soil pressure from a rainwater tank. For further information on WSUD visit: www.melbournewater.com.au/wsud

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 12 13 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Watering Watering Raingardens

A raingarden is a shallow depression in the ground, natural or man made, that is designed to hold rain that would otherwise turn into stormwater runoff.

Photos courtesy of Water

Raingardens are a great way to Raingardens should be located in utilise stormwater, and are often a relatively flat place where it will planted with species that are used receive runoff. You want to make to extreme dry and wet periods. sure runoff flows towards your Raingardens look great and are raingarden site. fantastic for the environment, However, raingardens are NOT a especially our waterways, as they solution to wet areas with standing help to clean and slow the rate water. The garden must have good of stormwater entering our local drainage so that water can soak in rivers and creeks. within 24 hours after rain. Raingardens can be built in any Diagram courtesy of Melbourne Water Your raingarden should be at shape or size, have different least 30cm (300mm) away from layers of sand, and often have an the house, receive full or partial inorganic mulch like small pebbles sunlight and not be constructed or stones (available from most over a septic system. For more information of raingardens visit: gardening and DIY stores). www.melbournewater.com.au/raingardens

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 14 15 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Watering Greywater Do Vegetable Greywater is domestic wastewater, • Only use wastewater from baths, excluding toilet waste which is showers, hand basins and sometimes referred to as blackwater. washing machines (final rinse Providing care is taken with the gardening water). products used (e.g. low phosphorous and sodium washing powders), • Only use greywater on the Commercially grown fruit and vegetables use a grey water from the laundry (rinse garden and rotate the areas you large amount of energy and chemicals for heating cycles) and bathroom can be used water. directly in the garden. and cooling, spraying weeds and pests and • Only apply water that the soil transportation. Untreated greywater can be can absorb. diverted on a temporary basis • Wash your hands after watering Fruit and vegetables begin losing their vitamins as to sites within your garden. It with greywater. can contain a number of micro- soon as they are picked. After five days some have organisms such as bacteria and lost 40-50% of their vitamins. viruses, as well as chemicals from Don’t cleaning agents. • Apply to produce plants. Home grown fruit and vegetables are healthy, The continual discharge of • Use greywater that has any convenient and an essential part of any sustainable greywater can potentially cause faecal contamination, for garden. Growing your own produce is easier if you problems for your garden. An example wastewater used to take the time to improve your soil. alternative is to collect greywater launder nappies. in a bucket and apply the water to • Use kitchen wastewater areas of greatest need. (including dishwashers) due To avoid potential health risks, to high concentration of food greywater from the bathroom wastes and chemicals. and laundry must be collected • Store greywater for more than and used according to EPA and 24 hours. council regulations. • Let children or pets drink or For further information on play with greywater. greywater reuse, including • Allow greywater to flow case studies from around from your property or enter Melbourne, visit: stormwater systems. To learn more about growing your own food, pick up a copy of the Home Harvest www.savewater.com.au Stop booklet from Western Water which has www.museum.vic.gov.au great tips on how to get your home vegie Using greywater during wet and search ‘gardening’ garden going. periods. www.westernwater.com.au Visit Using greywater if odours are www.westernwater.com.au www.epa.vic.gov.au generated and plants do not For further information on growing www.sgaonline.org.au appear to be healthy. produce visit: www.sgaonline.org.au

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 16 17 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Habitat gardening Habitat gardening BIRDS Birds are beautiful creatures that are a joy to watch in any garden. Attracting native animals to your garden can add In addition, many birds feed on plant pests such as aphids and scale, contributing to non-chemical pest control in the garden! To attract birds to extra colour and interest. It can also assist pest your garden consider the following points. control by attracting insect predators and contribute to keeping native animal viable by providing a pathway for them to commute between bushland areas. All you have to do is provide your garden visitors with food, water and shelter. Red-browed Finch Superb Fairy-wren Eastern Yellow Robin Kookaburra

LIZARDS SHELTER Honey eating birds Most lizards found in the garden are little Grass Skinks that feed on insects Birds need shelter from predators Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebirds and and larvae. Keep an eye out for the secretive Marbled Gecko that can be such as cats and predatory birds. Eastern Spinebills are specialist found in rock crevices and coarse tree bark in many gardens. You may also Help protect your feathered visitors nectar feeders. They use their be fortunate enough to encounter the larger Blue-tongue Lizard. by providing prickly or dense plants brush-like tongues to collect nectar at various levels in your garden. from the flowers of plants such as the Common Correa (Correa reflexa), WATER Cat’s Claw Grevillea (Grevillea A reliable water source, particularly alpina)- a CVU species and the Silver in summer, will attract birds to your Banksia (Banksia marginata). garden. If you install a birdbath, They also like to eat insects as place it near dense or prickly plants a source of protein. to provide birds with protection from predators. Parrots Rosellas and Lorikeets feed on

FOOD Eucalypt flowers and seeds, while Small birds Cockatoos and Galahs prefer the Silvereyes, Blue Wrens, Finches, seeds of Sheoaks (Allocasuarina Fantails and Thornbills forage in the verticillata or A. littoralis) and lower levels of the garden. They feed Blue-tongue lizard Eucalyptus species. Red-rump Grass on insects and help to keep plant Parrots feed on grass seeds. To create lizard habitat in your • Natural leaf mulch to support the pest numbers down. Large birds garden, provide the following: insects and larvae they feed on. Native grasses such as Common Magpies, Kookaburras and Tussock-grass (Poa labillardieri), • Tussock grass and hiding spots Avoid using snail bait as Blue-tongue Butcherbirds feed on larger insects, Kangaroo-grass (Themeda triandra) between rocks and logs for lizards will eat the poisoned snails - small lizards and skinks. protection. use a beer trap instead. and Wallaby-grass (Rytidosperma species) provide an important source • A protected sunny spot on a rock, of food for grass seed-eating birds log or brick path. such as Red-browed Finches and Crested Pigeons.

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 18 19 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Habitat gardening Habitat gardening

BUTTERFLIES MAMMALS Butterflies are a welcome addition to any garden and are easily attracted As the human grows, with a few simple design principles. urban development has replaced natural habitat. Our unique native animals have either adapted or suffered a dramatic decline due to loss of habitat and traditional food, disruption of breeding cycles or the effects of road traffic. While you may be incredibly lucky to encounter a koala or echidna, you are more likely to have possums and bats as regular visitors. Australian Painted Lady Brushtail Possum

Nectar traps Position Possums • Build a floppy fence around the Colourful, massed flower beds draw Butterflies use the early morning If you would like to attract possums garden. Use 80cm wide, heavily butterflies in and keep them happily sun to warm themselves and retreat or more vulnerable animals galvanised chicken wire, bury moving through the garden. They to cooler, shadier places during such as the Sugar Glider to your the bottom 20cm and support the are attracted to a large range of the heat of the day. Providing a garden, you could plant Banksias, remainder on vertical lengths coloured flowers, in particular blue, sheltered position that combines Callistemons, Wattles, Teatrees and of flexible, high-tensile fencing yellow and red. warmth and protection is ideal. Eucalypts. Put in some appropriate wire. Bend the wire to curve the nesting boxes to provide a safe, upper section outwards. When Flowers Also consider adding flat rocks for warm haven. the possum attempts to climb the Simple, flat flowers make it easier butterflies to bask and to court each fence it will bend over and then for butterflies to extract nectar. other. Mud puddles or a dish of It is important not to feed wildlife as spring back. Double flowers (multiple layers of damp sand can provide them with human food can be dangerous and petals) are difficult for butterflies to water and salts. cause serious dietary imbalance. • Use collars (strips of hard plastic) feed from. to protect fruit trees. Host plants Common Brush Tail and Ringtail Simple flowers like Daisies, Incorporate host plants for Possum populations have adapted • Repellents – some commercial Pelargoniums (Pelargonium butterflies to lay eggs. Caterpillars magnificently to the urban products are available aimed at australe), Bluebells (Wahlenbergia are generally small and shy, and environment. With an deterring possums from damaging communis), Saltbush plants won’t devastate the garden. of highly nutritious food and plants through smell, taste and/ (Atriplex semibaccata), and Pea great nesting sites in the roofs of or feel which are thought to be Popular indigenous plants include flowers (Pultenea daphnoides) buildings, their populations are unpleasant to possums. Some Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) and are more suitable. higher in the urban areas than in people use home made chilli and Spiny-head Mat-rush (Lomandra the bush. garlic sprays. A study by Deakin longifolia), and grasses such as University showed that these Kangaroo-grass (Themeda triandra), If possums are becoming a problem repellents have mixed results. Wallaby-grass (Rytidosperma spp.) you may try the techniques • For more information, visit and Common Tussock grass (Poa recommended by the Department of and search labillardieri). Environment & Primary Industries www.depi.vic.gov.au ‘possums’. (DEPI). Sweet Bursaria

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 20 21 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Habitat gardening Habitat gardening

Things to avoid • Allowing floating plants such as FROGS • Fish – most fish will eat tadpoles. Duckweed or Azolla to cover the What could be more interesting than watching tadpoles grow into frogs and top of the . This can result • Fountain pumps – tadpoles and then being serenaded by their calls at night? Frogs also help control pests in in reduced oxygen levels for eggs can be killed by them. your garden as they eat flies, mosquitoes, slugs, snails and even spiders. tadpoles. • Cats and dogs – protect the frog In order to enjoy frogs in your garden you will need to provide a pond • Cleaning out the pond too often – area of your garden with sharp, with certain features, but you also need to live near a frog population tadpoles need some material to be spiky plants. to attract them. breaking down in the pond water • Chemicals – frogs eat insects, so to provide food for them. you don’t want to spray them. • Collecting tadpoles from the Frogs are very sensitive to wild is illegal in most parts of chemicals which can be absorbed Australia. through their thin skin.

Water Ribbons A frog pond can incorporate one or • Been made from non-toxic all of the requirements for each part materials (concrete will The elements of a of the frogs’ lifecycle: need to be sealed and plastic ponds • Damp zone for adult frogs. be made of food-grade plastic). frog-friendly • Water plants that grow above the • Food plants for tadpoles (and they garden pond or frog bog water surface that enable frogs will eat them, so don’t put your to lay egg sacks to the submerged prize waterlily in there). part of the plant. Frog-friendly plants: DEEP SHALLOW DAMP • Shallow water zone for laying Tufting plants – Pale Rush (Juncus WATER WATER ZONE eggs. pallidus) or Black-anther Flax-lily ZONE BOG ZONE • Deep zone of at least 30cm (Dianella admixta). for tadpoles. Bog plants - Sedges (Carex spp.), Club-rushes (Ficinia species), ROCKS & LOGS Your frog garden should also have: FOR SHELTER Rushes (Juncus species). • Soft, thick vegetation that droops WINTER DEEP Water plants – Common Nardoo WATER LEVEL into the water, for shelter and (Marsilea drummondii), Purple protection. Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Tassel SUMMER LOW WATER LEVEL • Water plants that grow above the Sedge (Carex fascicularis) and Water water surface that enable frogs Ribbons (Triglochin procera). to lay egg sacks to the submerged part of the plant. • Rocks, logs, bark and leaf litter. • Mostly shade. • Gently sloping sides for frogs to SUBMERGED ROCKS & LOGS crawl out. A rock platform would FOR ALGAL GROWTH also make it easier for the frogs to SAND POND LINER leave the pond. Pobblebonk by Nathan Fell

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 22 23 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Local plants

Indigenous plants are local to a as a sample of the diverse and Local plants specific area and therefore are beautiful plants to be found across adapted to the soil and climate of the region. The majority will thrive The plants we select for our garden can have that region. In general this means in both bioregions, but some only a huge impact on the natural environment. By that compared to many exotic on the Victorian Volcanic Plains. plants, they require less fertiliser Check the region column for each incorporating indigenous plants into your garden and water once established and plant. therefore tend to require less you are helping to conserve our unique flora and For a more comprehensive range of maintenance. providing the food and shelter for local fauna. local indigenous plants and a The Western Water region wealth of information on how to encompasses two major Victorian grow them, visit the indigenous bioregions: the Victorian Volcanic nurseries listed on the inside back Plains and the Central Victorian cover of this booklet. Uplands (refer to page 3 of this booklet). The local plants on the following pages have been selected

KEY:

Suitable as hedge

Height Bioregions: Width

VVP Full Sun Victorian Volcanic Plains Part Shade

CVU Full Shade Central Victorian Uplands Drought Tolerant Needs Seasonal Water

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 24 25 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Local plants Local plants GROUND COVERS SMALL PLANTS

NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION

Ruby Saltbush Tufted Bluebell Looks great in Hardy plant great containers or when CVU VVP (Wahlenbergia 30cm 15cm (Enchylaena prostrate 1m for rockeries. planted amongst VVP tomentosa) spp.) grasses. Well-drained soil. Moist, well-drained soil.

Suitable for

Kidney Weed An excellent lawn Cut-leaf Daisy rockeries, substitute in moist, CVU 20cm 50cm containers CVU (Dichondra prostrate 30cm (Brachyscome shady areas where VVP and beds. VVP repens) traffic is very light. multifida) Accepts most soils, but Prune hard to Well-drained soil. avoid poor drainage. rejuvenate.

Attractive as a

Running ground cover, Sticky Prune hard in Postman prostrate 2m in tubs, hanging CVU Everlasting autumn to extend CVU 60cm 30cm (Kennedia baskets, cascading VVP (Xerochrysum life. Spectacular VVP Accepts most soils, but over rocks, walls planted in drifts. prostrata) viscosum) Well-drained soil. avoid poor drainage. and under trees.

An excellent rockery plant Common 130cm with contrasting Native Violet Ideal for shaded CVU Everlasting prostrate 1m silver foliage. VVP areas of the garden. VVP 60cm (Viola hederacea) (Chrysocephalum Prune regularly Well-drained soil. apiculatum) Well-drained soil. to encourage new growth.

Forms dense Bidgee-widgee mats through Billy Buttons CVU 30cm 50cm Mass plantings (Acaena novae- 10cm spreading self-seeding. (Pycnosorus VVP VVP look great. Attractive flower zelandiae) All soils. Thrives in globosus) Prefers moist, heavy and seed heads. moist soils. soils.

Creeping Grey-green foliage. Austral Stork’s Great in Saltbush 20cm 1-2m Attractive small Bill 50cm 40cm CVU VVP rockeries. red berries after VVP (Atriplex (Pelargonium Aromatic leaves. semibaccata) Well-drained soil. Salt flowering. australe) Prefers well-drained tolerant. soil. Photo Russell Best

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 26 27 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Local plants Local plants CLIMBERS SMALL SHRUBS

NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION

Purple Coral Establishes well Climbing plant Common under existing Pea prostrate or climber useful as a CVU CVU Correa 60cm 1.5m trees. Responds screeening plant. VVP VVP (Hardenbergia 3m well to a light Grows well in pots. (Correa reflexa) violacea) Well-drained soil. pruning. Well-drained soil. Excellent for dry, shady positions.

Small-leafed A fast growing climber useful Fast growing. Clematis CVU Hop Goodenia CVU prostrate, 3m for drier sites. Responds well to VVP VVP (Clematis Attractive fluffy (Goodenia ovata) 2m 1m pruning. microphylla) Well-drained soil. seed heads. Prefers damp soil.

Austral Indigo Needs regular CVU (Indigofera 2m 2m pruning for VVP shaping. australis) Well-drained soil. Lime GRASSES & TUSSOCK PLANTS tolerant. NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION

50cm Fast-growing grass. Gold Dust A good low Common screening plant. Lawn alternative. CVU Wattle VVP Tussock-grass 40cm Attractive Suitable for large VVP 2m 2m contrasting plant. (Acacia acinacea) pots. (Poa labillardieri) Adapts to moist or Adaptable to most soils. slightly dry soil.

Spiny-headed Common A quick growing Mat-rush Cassinia CVU A hardy, structural CVU shrub. Flowers for 1m 1m 2m 2m VVP (Lomandra plant. VVP (Cassinia long periods. aculeata) longifolia) Moist, well-drained soil. Well-drained soil. Photo James Booth

Large-leaf Black-anther Hardy, easily A hardy shrub. Flax-lily maintained plant. Bush-pea 1.5m 1.5m CVU CVU Ideal for planting 80cm 50cm Ideal for growing VVP (Dianella VVP (Pultenaea under tress. close to trees. Will adapt to most admixta) Well-drained soil. daphnoides) soil types provided

Photo Chris Clark drainage is good.

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 28 29 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Local plants Western Water sustainable plant list TALL SHRUBS These plants are not indigenous but are good for the garden as they NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION are all hardy under variable conditions and are not known to go weedy.

COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME FORM

Bushy forms make Sweet Bursaria CVU Catmint Nepeta cultivar Groundcover 10m 5m excellent screening VVP (Bursaria spinosa) plants. Well-drained soil. Creeping Boobialla Myoporum parvifolium Groundcover Excellent for dry sites. Salvias Salvia species Herb

Geranium solanderi Australian Cranesbill Herb Prickly Moses Pruning Flax Phormium cultivars Strap Foliage encourages a bushy CVU 4m 3m (Acacia habit. Excellent VVP False Red Agave Beschorneria yuccoides Strap Foliage verticillata) Tolerates most bird refuge. conditions including Yucca Yucca species Strap Foliage waterlogging. Kangaroo Paw Anigozanthos sp. Strap Foliage

Lavender Cotton Santolina chamecyparissus Perennial

Penstemon Penstemon cultivars Perennial

TREES Correa Correa cultivars Small Shrub NAME REQUIREMENTS FEATURES REGION Hebe Hebe ‘Blue Gem’ Small Shrub

Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens Small Shrub A long-lived tree Blackwood 7m+ 5m Thryptomene saxicola providing good CVU Rock Thryptomene Small Shrub (Acacia Prefers deep, moist screening and VVP Rosemarinus officinalis melanoxylon) soil, but adaptable. Will shade. Rosemary Small Shrub tolerate dry conditions Leucophyta brownii once established. Cushion Bush Small Shrub Emu Bush Eremophilia species Medium Shrub

Coastal Rosemary Westringia fruiticosa Medium Shrub Silver Wattle 10m 6m Large, spreading CVU Plumbago auriculata (Acacia dealbata) tree. Fast growing. VVP Plumbago Medium Shrub Prefers moist, well drained soil. Weeping Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis Medium Shrub

Tea Tree Leptospermum ‘Burgundy’ Tall Shrub

Grevillea Grevillea ‘Ivanhoe’ Tall Shrub Hazel Hardy, spreading Pomaderris 6m 3m Bottlebrush Callistemon ‘King’s Park Special’ Small Tree small tree. Quick CVU (Pomaderris growing. Prefers well-drained, Crepe Myrtle Largersteromia indica Small Tree aspera) moist soil. Willow Myrtle Agonis flexuosa Medium Tree

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 30 31 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region TECHNIQUES DISPERSAL KEY: Invasive plants The keys on this page are used in the next section to provide information on how individual weeds are Wind Unfortunately some native and exotic plants can dispersed and what control methods will be most effective. Water escape from the garden to become invasive plants Hand Pull hand removal of plant, most in the natural environment. Seeds and cuttings suitable for small plants and Birds can be spread by wind, water, birds, animals, seedlings. vehicles or by people dumping garden cuttings Animals into the bush and waterways. Cut & Paint cut stem and immediately paint Dumped Garden Waste Invasive plants compete with our local plants for an appropriate to the stump. light, nutrients and water. Before too long they Contaminated can replace local plants leaving native animals Soil covering plants with a plastic without food or habitat. As gardeners we need to Solarisation sheet with buried edges for a Vehicles know which plants can be invasive in the Western four-week period. This allows Water region and avoid planting them or remove the heat from the sun to kill off the plants underneath. them from our gardens. If using chemicals to control weeds Mulch smothering plants with a thick layer of appropriate mulch. remember: The chosen mulch must be • Only use chemical weed free. control if non- chemical control is unsuitable. Scrape & scrape the outer layer of Paint an area of the plant stem • Do not spray in high and immediately apply an temperatures or appropriate herbicide. Most if rain is forecast appropriate on vine weeds. within 24 hours. • Spray when plants Spray are actively growing. apply herbicide to the surface • Some chemicals of the foliage. require a Chemical Users Permit. • Always read the label use a drill or other small tool on the product and Drill & Fill to cut into the outer bark layer follow the directions and apply an appropriate for application rates, herbicide to the soft layer safety procedures Privet (Ligustrum species) underneath the bark. and handling.

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 32 33 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Invasive plants Invasive plants CLIMBERS AND CREEPERS GRASSES AND HERBS NAME FEATURES DISPERSAL CONTROL NAME FEATURES DISPERSAL CONTROL

Evergreen Perennial creeper that Blue herb to 30cm. forms dense Gazania Periwinkle Variable flower mats that (Gazania spp.) colours, spring- (Vinca major) smother local autumn. plants.

A very weedy herb that grows Fast growing Morning from 20-50 cm climber that Forget-me-not Glory tall to cover smothers (Myosotis spp.) bushland with (Ipomoea indica) bushland. a blue carpet of flowers.

Evergreen Evergreen herb Bluebell climber grows Agapanthus in leafy clumps Creeper to 2-3m tall (Agapanthus to 60cm. White (Billardiera and strangles praecox ssp. or mauve heterophylla) plants it grows Orientalis) flowers over. Nov-Feb.

Fast climber Bulbil Leaves and can grow to Watsonia flowers die back English Ivy 30m up trees (Watsonia each year only (Hedera helix) or along the to grow back in ground to form meriana cv a dense clump. dense carpets. Bulbilifera)

Wandering Evergreen Fountain Can grow up Creeper creeper that Grass to 1m tall. forms dense Distinctive (Tradescantia mats to 60cm (Pennisetum flowerheads fluminensis) deep. setaceum) from Jan-April.

Huge perennial Perennial grass growing Cape Ivy climber and Pampas Grass to 2-6m tall (Delairea dense ground with large (Cortaderia spp.) odorata) cover to 30cm cream flower thick. plumes Mar-May.

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 34 35 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Invasive plants Invasive plants SHRUBS SHRUBS NAME FEATURES DISPERSAL CONTROL NAME FEATURES DISPERSAL CONTROL

Montpellier Succulent up Broom Seeds highly Prickly Pear to 5m tall. (Genista poisonous. (Opuntia spp.) Large spines. monspessulana) Edible fruit.

Large shrub Deciduous English to 4m usually Hawthorn thorny shrub to Broom loses leaves (Crataegus 10m tall. White (Cytisus over winter. monogyna) flowers Oct-Dec. Yellow flowers scoparius) Red berries. Oct-Dec.

Evergreen shrub with English Holly distinct wavy (Ilex aquifolium) leaves. Bright red berries in TREES autumn. NAME FEATURES DISPERSAL CONTROL

Aromatic tree Mirror Bush Evergreen with needle shrub to 8m Monterey Pine (Coprosma leaves, often tall. Shiny (Pinus radiata) repens) sold as a green leaves. Christmas tree.

Evergreen, Dark green multi-stemmed Sweet leaves, small Cotoneaster creamy- shrub with Pittosporum (Cotoneaster white flowers white flowers. (Pittosporum spp.) Oct-Jan. Clusters Distinctive, undulatum) of bright red yellow fleshy berries. fruit.

Hardy and fast Cootamundra Bushy tree Sticky Wattle growing, this Wattle to 10m tall. Gippsland wattle Distinctive grey (Acacia howittii) (Acacia can escape into leaves. Flowers baileyana) bushland. from Jun-Sept. Photo Martin Lagerway

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 36 37 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Lawn alternatives Chemicals Most traditional turf are high water users but there , and fertilisers can be transferred are drought tolerant mixes available such as Kikuyu and from our home gardens to the natural environment. Cooch. Traditional lawns should be avoided if you live Sprays can drift in the wind and powders wash into next to a bushland reserve or waterway. waterways. Strong pesticides and herbicides can Attractive native lawn alternatives can withstand periods kill native insects, plants and animals, while the of low water supply and require less ongoing maintenance application of too much fertiliser may lead to extra than traditional lawns. There is a range of native grasses nutrients in our waterways, contributing to blue-green or plants to consider depending on the look you are trying algae outbreaks harmful to animals and sometimes to achieve. people.

Native grasses – one of the most successful Creating a healthy garden in the garden. native grasses for creating the look of a • Healthy plants can protect • Sharpen your pruning tools so traditional lawn is the native Weeping themselves, provided they have cuts are clean and bark isn’t torn. Grass (Microlaena stipoides). It can be mown a healthy soil, are mulched, not Prune diseased or damaged wood regularly and will grow well in a wide range exposed to synthetic fertilisers and from trees before they cause of soils. Weeping Grass is drought, frost and are regularly watered. bigger problems shade tolerant, but does not cope with heavy • If you use chemicals you may • Clean your secateurs by wiping the traffic or dog urine. Excellent for a front Weeping Grass lawn. Can be grown from seed or plugs. also kill beneficial insects and blades thoroughly with eucalyptus make your pest problem harder to oil before moving between plants. control. Many insects in the garden Ground cover plants - use ground cover • Home remedies are often very such as ladybirds are good guys plants that form dense mats, don’t require effective e.g. milk spray to combat that will eat pests such as aphids. mowing and perform well in shade. powdery mildew; beer traps Examples include: Climbing Saltbush • Check the micro-climate. Many for slugs/snails; or linseed oil (Einadia nutans) (Dichondra , Kidney Plant fungal diseases occur when there for earwigs. repens) (Mentha diemenica) and Native Mint . is too much shade or poor Kidney Plant • Check your garden regularly ventilation due to plants being Native wildflowers – planting out a mass of for pests. native wildflowers to create a meadow look too close together. can be spectacular, particularly in spring • Accept that some losses and and summer. This works very well as a front blemishes are normal in a chemical lawn alternative. Examples include: Tufted free garden. Bluebell (Wahlenbergia communis), Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum) and Bulbine Lily • Practice a range of techniques (Bulbine bulbosa). – , manually Tufted Bluebells & Straw Flowers removing weeds and encouraging Ladybird eating mould

Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region 38 39 Sustainable gardening in the Western Water region Reference and advice Sustainable For advice on Hume City Council indigenous plants ‘Get Involved’ www.hume.vic.gov.au/Waste_

Western Plains Flora Environment/Environment product selection 628 Wildwood Road, Wildwood Ph: (03) 9740 3178 Melton Shire Council ‘Green Living’ www.melton.vic.gov.au/Services/ When buying products for the garden we often don’t Acres Wild Nursery Environment_and_sustainability think about where they have come from. For example, 42 Anslow St, Woodend Ph: (03) 5427 2788 Useful Links River Red Gum trees grow in woodlands which are Atlas Macedon Ranges Flora part of an intricate that supports native P.O. Box 718, Woodend www.sites.google.com/site/ Ph: (03) 5427 4303 macedonflora/ fauna – harvesting this product is unsustainable. With Email: [email protected] The Field Naturalists Club some thought we can support more environmentally Groups of www.fncv.org.au sound practices through the products we choose for Melton Environment Group our gardens and homes. Email: [email protected] Weed Society of Victoria www.wsvic.org.au Jacksons Creek EcoNetwork www.jcen.org.au Wildlife Victoria ATERNATIVE PRODUCT TIPS • River pebbles may have been www.wildlifevictoria.org.au sourced from waterways in Pinkerton Landcare • Visit www.goodwoodguide.org.au www.pinkertonforest.com Further reading to find out which timbers are developing countries such as China APS Keilor Plains Group (2012) sustainable. While some outdoor and India. This destroys the local Deep Creek Landcare Plants ecosystem and causes silt to wash www.deepcreeklandcare.org.au of Melbourne’s Western Plains: A furniture companies claim teak is ’s Guide to the Original Flora. plantation-harvested in Asia, this down stream to communities who Toolern Vale Landcare magnificent tree is a rainforest rely on the river for drinking and www.toolernvalelandcare.org.au Davis, A & Kemp, B. (1984) Native Plants of the Macedon Ranges - A Field plant that cannot be grown in washing. Use locally crushed rock Riddells Creek Landcare Guide. Macedon Ranges Conservation and granitic gravel. www.riddellscreeklandcare.org.au plantations. Society. • Grass trees, tree ferns and native SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING TIPS Woodend Landcare Russell Best & David Francis, (2008). orchids may have been sourced www.woodendlandcare.wordpress.com • Ask where a product comes from Macedon Ranges Flora. Riddells Creek illegally from the forest. Plants and avoid buying unsustainable Friends of the Macedon Ranges Landcare. should be sold with a government products. www.sites.google.com/site/ tag stating they have been legally Blood, K (2001) Environmental • Use such as macedonrangesfriends collected. Weeds: a Field Guide for SE secondhand bricks, recycled Australian Plant Society Australia, CH Jerram and Associates, • Make sure you ask where mulch timbers, or recycled plastic Keilor Plains Group Melbourne. has come from as some are sourced www.apskeilorplains.org.au/ sleepers. Costermans, L.F (1933) Native from the logging of old growth • Take your own plastic bag or Australian Plant Society Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern forests or contain weed seeds. canvas bag to a garden centre to Melton & Bacchus Marsh Group Australia, Lansdowne Publishing Pty • Ceramic pots fired using gas and carry home products and plants. Email: [email protected] Ltd, Sydney. produced locally have a lower • Reuse your plastic plant pots or Macedon Ranges Shire Council environmental impact than those return them to a garden centre pot ‘Get Involved’ fired using coal or wood and bin. www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Waste_ transported from overseas. Environment/Get_Involved

Sustainable Gardening in the Western Water Region 40 41 in the Western Water region

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