Perth has a unique climate situation which resembles a Mediterranean climate – hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. And it is this climate that presents both challenges and opportunities for those looking to move towards sustainable gardening practises in their Perth home.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to create a lush backyard oasis that attracts the local wildlife or a business owner aiming to enhance your property’s curb appeal, embracing sustainable gardening practices can provide some wonderful, eco-friendly results.
The first step in sustainable gardening is understanding our climate. Our climate zone is characterised by:
- Hot, dry summers: Temperatures often exceed 30°C, with little to no rainfall.
- Mild, wet winters: Rainfall is more common, but water conservation remains crucial.
These conditions require gardening practices that maximise water efficiency, promote soil health, and utilise native and drought-tolerant plants.
Many homeowners and business owners are finding the benefits that sustainable gardening offers, including:
- Reduced water usage: Essential in a region prone to drought.
- Lower maintenance: Native plants are adapted to local conditions and often require less care.
- Enhanced biodiversity: Supporting local wildlife and ecosystems.
- Cost savings: Less need for water, fertilisers, and pesticides.
Key Practices for Sustainable Gardening
As with any style of gardening, there are some key factors and practices that will help you have a healthy, wildlife friendly gardening that will survive the Perth climate.
Water-Wise Gardening
- Drip Irrigation Systems: These systems deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation and runoff.
- Mulching: Applying organic mulch (e.g., bark, wood chips) helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Installing rain barrels or tanks to collect and store rainwater for irrigation.
- Water-wise lawns: Opt for low-maintenance lawns or consider replacing them with drought-tolerant groundcovers or artificial turf.
While installing a drip irrigation system can be a lot of work, and require careful planning, it is this system, combined with utilising rainwater, that will save you money on water usage. Utilising an experienced landscaping team to set up a water-wise gardening system can make the process much easier.
Soil Health and Management
- Composting: Adding compost to your garden enriches the soil, improves water retention, and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.
- Soil Testing: Regularly testing soil pH and nutrient levels to tailor your gardening practices accordingly.
Did you know that it’s really easy to start a compost garden at home? While it may take the family a little while to get used to putting their organic scraps in the right bin, once you have a compost garden set up, there is little work involved, and you get ongoing soil enrichment, saving you money, and saving you putting more rubbish into landfill.
Selecting the Right Plants
Plant selection is one of the more important tasks when it comes to sustainable gardening practices. Native and drought tolerant plants are the best options, while a native food garden is a great sustainable choice for those who like to experiment with different ingredients.
Native plants have evolved alongside local wildlife, forming intricate relationships. They provide essential food, shelter, and breeding grounds for a diverse range of creatures.
- Food sources: Nectar-rich flowers attract birds, butterflies, and bees. Fruits and seeds nourish birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Shelter: Dense foliage provides protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
- Breeding habitats: Many native animals rely on specific plants for nesting or raising young.
We’ve included some of our recommendations below.
- Native Plants: Native species are adapted to local conditions, requiring less water and maintenance. Some great options include Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos), Grevillea, and Bottlebrush (Callistemon).
- Drought-Tolerant Plants: Species that thrive with minimal water, such as Lavender, Rosemary, and Agave are beneficial.
- Edible Plants: Incorporating herbs and vegetables like bush tomatoes, saltbush, and native spinach (Warrigal Greens) can provide fresh produce with minimal water needs.
- Groundcovers: Grevilleas, akubra pea, and coastal rosemary offer colourful and drought-tolerant ground cover options.
- Shrubs: Banksia, correa, and grevillea provide structure and attract birds and small mammals.
- Trees: Eucalyptus, melaleuca, and wandoo offer shade and habitat for a variety of wildlife.
- Wildflowers: Consider planting a native wildflower patch to attract pollinators and enjoy a seasonal display of colour.
There are plenty of reasons to choose native plants when looking at designing and planting a sustainable garden. Because these plants have adapted to our climate, they require less water and maintenance. They also support local wildlife, creating a biodiverse garden.
Sustainable Garden Features
What’s a garden without garden features to draw your eye and lead you through the garden? There are plenty of ways to include features in your garden without taking away the sustainability factor.
For Perth homeowners, some of the better sustainable garden feature options include:
- Permeable Paving Using materials like gravel, permeable concrete, or pavers with gaps allows rainwater to infiltrate the soil, reducing runoff and erosion.
- Green Roofs and Walls For businesses, incorporating green roofs or living walls can improve insulation, reduce energy costs, and provide additional green space.
- Water Features Installing water features such as ponds or fountains with recirculating pumps can create a microclimate that supports plant and animal life.
- Native Wildlife Habitats Creating habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals by planting native shrubs, installing bird baths, and avoiding chemical pesticides.
Eco-Friendly Pest and Disease Management
One of the big factors in sustainable gardening is avoiding chemical pesticides. Why? Pesticides can seep through the soil, killing beneficial organisms such as worms and insects, as well as damaging that great soil quality you’ve spent time building up.
What then are some options for eco-friendly pest and disease management?
- Encourage beneficial insects: Create a habitat for ladybirds, lacewings, and other beneficial insects by planting flowers that attract them.
- Crop rotation: Rotate crops to disrupt pest life cycles and reduce disease build-up.
- Handpicking: Regularly inspect plants for pests and remove them manually.
- Organic pest control: Use environmentally friendly options like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil when necessary.
- Disease prevention: Practise good sanitation, avoid overhead watering, and provide adequate spacing between plants to prevent disease outbreaks.
Embracing sustainable gardening practices in Perth’s unique climate not only conserves resources but also creates a beautiful, resilient garden that supports local ecosystems. Start your sustainable gardening journey today and contribute to a greener, more sustainable environment.