Sustainable in Darebin This revised Sustainable ONTENT Gardening booklet was produced by Darebin City Introduction 2 Council in 2020. Design 3 Original text by Sustainable Gardening . 6 Printed on recycled paper with vegetable based inks Caring for your Soil 8

Disclaimer: Although and care has been taken to Worm Farming 9 ensure the accuracy of the information, the publishers, Water 19 authors and printers cannot accept responsibility for Selection 25 any claim, loss, damage or liability arising out of Darebin Local Plant Guide 26 the use of the information published. Darebin Garden Escapee Guide 34 Darebin Council is committed to contributing Food Gardening 43 to the achievement of within Chemical free Darebin and promoting gardening and natural sustainability to others. pest management 49

Get Involved 55

Further Information 61

Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 1 INTRODUCTION You are on your way to a sustainable garden if you: Gardening is all about creating food waste and using it on our Many 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 gases. Our area, large open and Have a rough planting plan the and and trees help draw down flowerbeds of exotic plants that groups plants according 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 ), 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 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 and can even impact your Have maximised the stormwater runoff into creeks gardens are low maintenance, as household energy use. For permeable surface e.g. and streams chemical free. By they require less watering, lower example, well placed deciduous replacing concrete with gravel growing food in our gardens or no application of fertilisers trees and climbers can provide we can reap environmental and chemicals, and less mowing Have designed your garden shade in summer and light in and health benefits. If we and . to have flow and interest winter, reducing heating and purchase renewable resources to create appeal And last but not least – cooling costs for your home. for the garden instead of non- gardening is good for our Have designed your renewable resources, we can Interior design, architecture, souls! Spending time in our garden to reduce your help to protect our old growth cars and fashion change to suit gardens with family, friends and home energy use forests and river ecosystems. new lifestyles. It’s time gardens neighbours is a great way to did too. To design a sustainable Have included food Creating sustainable gardens connect with nature and garden, take the time to work production in your garden and encouraging 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, , 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 sun, a pond where mow the lawn low, 2 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 3–4 months and lowest mower tell you what your 4 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 5 Kikuyu they will not be eliminated Make garden beds by newspaper bigger and 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: 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 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 plantations. in a Garden Center 3 River pebbles may support more environmentally pot 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 for plants to use and their time to apply mulch (once the plants, vegetables and fruit trees. matter to your soil burrows allow air into the soil winter rains have soaked in). Most local and native plants like 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 without soil improvement. replaced regularly as the types of plants Top up mulch annually to worms consume it and plants Have at least 3 worms in 8-10cm deep. Mulches made 5 absorb the nutrients. If organic a spadeful of soil wherever from recycled organics are an 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 Only dig your soil when summer and a sticky mess in soil as they break down. soil for a long time, as they break you need to. the winter. In addition, most 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 BEFORE YOU PLANT WORM FARMING sustainable garden if you: VegeSafe is a 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 – 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

1 3 Why is my compost: “attracting flies or maggots?” “left with half decomposed If you see tiny flies (drosophila) 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 such as hessian sacking or carpet • Warmth – locate your compost before adding. 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 bones can 4 containing matter and not enough • Are high in nitrogen, such be added to compost if it is carbon. Try adding more dry as kitchen scraps and grass If you are left with half working efficiently and quickly. materials such as dried chopped clippings. You can also add decomposed lumps in your However, they are best avoided up leaves and newspaper. blood and bone, Dynamic compost add smaller pieces of since they do encourage vermin, 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. 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 the smells. In a compost bin Spreading compost over dry matter. wet, add dry matter, such as you can add lengths of slotted your soil (under the mulch newspaper and if too dry, add agipipe to increase aeration. layer) will encourage worms 6 water along with something in your garden. Visit the SGA website for “crawling with ants and slaters?” high in nitrogen such as blood 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. ADD TO YOUR KEEP OUT OF through Council or garden centres and come with easy Keep these items out COMPOST YOUR COMPOST to follow instructions. You will of your worm farm: • fruit and vegetable scraps • fish and meat need to buy composting worms • citrus and pineapple • coffee grounds and tea bags • cat and dog droppings; for your worm farm. Common • onion, garlic and chillies • crushed egg shells consider a pet poo composting worm types sold 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 17 FOOD 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. 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 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 19 WATER TIPS W W 1 5 9 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 games, but is fine Water between 6 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 P part of the day. Agipipes filled P front garden. 7 3 Avoid using micro- 10 Install a rainwater sprays. They waste Greywater from tank. By watering up to 70% of water M the bathroom and your garden with through drift and M laundry must be captured rainwater, evaporation and if collected and used you reduce demand the soil is mulched, according to EPA on ’s water will not Victoria guidelines water supply system. penetrate to the soil. to avoid potential Speak to an expert M M health risks. Visit to find a suitably 8 M M www.epa.vic.gov.au sized water tank. Water pots and for more information 4 plants with a low pressure on the ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ R Check and clean hose. The water R your irrigation should be running system every spring. slowly, not on a spray, as this does not penetrate ˚ ˚ very deeply. ˚ ˚

Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 21 RAINGARDENS R To create a water efficient garden For further information on S and improve the health of our installing a raingarden, visit: creeks you may want to consider www.melbournewater.com.au/ installing a raingarden near a using-and-saving-water-home/ down pipe. Raingardens filter raingardens and slow down stormwater that A drains to our creeks when it rains.

GREYWATER

Greywater is domestic your backyard using a bucket or wastewater, excluding toilet diverter. However, the continual waste which is sometimes discharge of greywater can A referred to as blackwater. It can potentially cause problems for be a good water 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 23 GREYWATER 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 • Use greywater that has any grouped together according actually ‘garden escapees’. (final rinse water). faecal contamination, for to their sun/shade, water and Their seeds are spread from • 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 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 indigenous nursery about STOP 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 25 DAREBIN LOCAL PLANT GUIDE CLIMBERS

These plants are great for Darebin Purple Coral Pea (Hardenbergia violacea) gardens as they grow here naturally and 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 27 GROUNDCOVERS 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.

29 GRASSES 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 31 SHRUBS (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.

33 DAREBIN 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 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 37 CLIMBERS 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 39 SHRUBS 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 41 HABITAT 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 in pest control, encourages There are many great reasons to grow your own produce. native, indigenous and pollination and helps contribute exotic plants to conservation by providing • Home grown food is healthy. • Backyard food production can 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 • When you grow your own plants listed in the Darebin picked, but when you have to at www.sga.org.au and www. vegetables, you know exactly Garden Escapees Guide wait for them. gardensforwildlifevictoria.com what has gone into it and Have at least one shade tree so you can make sure your • Gardening is therapy. Food of suitable size for your produce is free from harmful gardening can be a gentle, garden chemicals. relaxing and stress-lowering 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 . Growing food locally and organically reduces greenhouse gas emissions and your environmental footprint.

Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 43 TIPS 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 could be 1.2m wide). consider putting due to rain and local and native recycled hardwood 10 in a rainwater tank low evaporation. plants so it’s best to make raised beds. Try heritage specifically for your However when its to grow them in Never use treated 6 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 45 BUSHFOODS

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) 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 as rosemary, sage, For example, The white tuberous blanching leaves, not like over- plants to attract oregano, lemon silverbeet, kale or roots are edible raw discard water and watering. bees and pollinators verbena and thyme. lettuce from which or baked and the add to cooking as to your garden. Grow mint in a pot you can take a few bitter leaves can you would spinach. be added to salads. Prefers a moist, well- as it can take over in leaves at a time and 15 garden beds. they will continue 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 ’s Sow What When Seed Planting Guide

Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 47 CHEMICAL 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 R hanging baskets, can be used to make coughs, colds and rock gardens or as a delicious teas, or stomach cramps. D I D ground cover. Likes dried and ground to Leaves can be a well-drained spot add to shortbread rubbed on the with full sun to part and cakes. Prefers skin as an insect shade and grows a partly shaded repellent. A great T easily from stem protected position. plant for a damp, cuttings. Prune in shady position. Best S winter. controlled in a pot. E Finger lime A thorny tree that grows to 2-3m. There are many cultivars with a diversity in taste L and fruit colours ranging from green, yellow, black, purple or red, which ripen winter through to spring. The caviar- U like fruit is delicious in drinks, deserts or garnishes. Like all citrus, finger limes like LAN well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7.

CERES Bushfoods Nursery ceres.org.au LAN

Sustainable Gardening in Darebin 49 REASONS 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 with methylated spirits. unhealthy plants are more 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 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. 5 and generally match 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 , 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 51 When 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 Citrus gall wasp is a common the lid and bottom, and place 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 and do not put prunings in foodharvestnetwork.org.au. Don’t over-fertilise your plants Traditional advice for controlling your green waste bin as this You can also try homemade as it produces excessive plant citrus gall wasp has been can spread the pest. Talk to garlic and chilli sprays. 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 53 More 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 . Network www.darebinfood and vegetables, making the flesh www.goodkarmaeffect.com • 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 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..vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds 55 PLANTING Some community gardens have 3000acres are a not-for- GARDEN DESIGN NATURE STRIPS a wait list. If you want to start profit that helps community 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 take place on nature strips composting projects around Permaculture is an integrated Communal Food Garden provided Council’s guidelines are Melbourne. They have a guide system that Assessment Guidelines followed. Find Darebin’s Nature to starting new community aims to create environments Outlines the process and Strip Planting Guidelines and gardens on their website, and and landscapes that mimic responsibilities of both the complete a Nature Strip Planting can assist the community with natural patterns and energy applicant and Council when Application Form here: free information and advice. flows in cooperation with nature assessing a site www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ www.3000acres.org.au to produce food, fibre and for a community garden energy. There are three guiding environment 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 environment and skills and 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 57 HOW 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). 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 www.SGAonline.org.au Garden Centre

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 61 CITY OF National Relay Service Speak your language relayservice.gov.au T 8470 8470 DAREBIN 274 Gower Street, Preston If you are deaf, or have PO Box 91, Preston, Vic 3072 a hearing or speech T 8470 8888 F 8470 8877 impairment, contact E [email protected] us through the darebin.vic.gov.au National Relay Service.