Sustainable gardens
Sustainable gardening means designing, constructing and maintaining our gardens in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the future.
Reducing your environmental footprint in the garden
Composting transforms everyday garden and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil, helping reduce landfill, improve your soil health, and grow resilient gardens that thrive in local conditions. Use organic material such as food scraps and garden clippings to create a rich compost for your garden.
Growing your own vegetables is a simple way to live more sustainably. It reduces your carbon footprint by cutting out transport and packaging, while giving you access to fresh produce right from your backyard. It is a fantastic way to save money, stay active, and connect with your garden
Mulching your garden beds is a great way to retain moisture in your soil and prevent the establishment of weeds. Mulch breaks down naturally, adding nutrients back into the soil and supporting a thriving garden ecosystem. Common forms of mulch include straw, hay, wood chips, and compost.
Worm farms are a fantastic way to recycle food scraps and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden. These hardworking worms break down organic waste into castings, a natural fertiliser that boosts soil health and plant growth. Worm farms are compact, low-maintenance, and perfect for backyards, balconies, or even schools, making them an easy and eco-friendly addition to any garden.
Pollinators help plants reproduce and produce fruit. By attracting bees, beetles, butterflies, birds, and other animals your garden becomes more productive, diverse, and resilient. Planting a variety of flowering species that flower at different times will help create a more welcoming habitat that supports pollinator populations. See the Albury Wodonga Garden Guide for a list of plants that will be great for your garden.
Using water wisely is essential for a sustainable garden, especially in regions like Albury where dry spells are common. Mulching, choosing drought tolerant plants, and watering in the early morning help conserve this precious resource while keeping your plants healthy. Drip irrigation systems are a great way to save water.
Reducing the use of chemicals and pesticides helps protect pollinators and support helpful insects. There are a range of methods such as companion planting, encouraging predator insects and maintaining healthy soil which can help reduce the need for pesticides.
Habitat Gardens
Julianne’s breathtakingly beautiful garden is located on the outskirts of West Wodonga and was carefully designed with wildlife in mind. The undulating 1.5-acre block features a large dam, fringed by native plants and shaded by an ancient red gum containing multiple egrets, tawny frogmouth and mudlark nests.
It’s easy to see why Glenda and Bernie’s Baranduda garden is described as one of best habitat gardens in Albury-Wodonga. Not only is the garden absolutely gorgeous, it’s like living in an aviary, with a constant stream of birds feeding, drinking and bathing and more than 90 bird species spotted over the years.
If you were a bird looking for somewhere to eat, nest or breed in Glenroy, you’d fly straight to David and Sue Thurley’s garden. They’ve turned what was once bare lawn edged by roses and agapanthus, into an oasis of native plantings attracting a diversity of native wildlife.
Sustainable households
Biodiversity