Organise Your Garden This Spring

"I'd rather have roses on my table, than diamonds around my neck." Emma Goldman

…. well most of the time! But I don’t think many things are as rewarding as gardening – that might just be the Martha Stewart coming out in me.

Of recent years, gardening has become something many of us have had to let go due to the drought which has gripped the country.

However, organsing your garden now so it’s in full bloom in the Spring is a great idea. Whether you have a balcony or an acre block there is something you can do to create an “outdoor room” (as Jamie Durie would call it).Whilst we would all love to have the Backyard Blitz team knock at our front door, sadly this is unlikely.

So how do you get your garden into shape? Well, it takes planning, for example, there is no point buying a load of plants when you don’t have the soil ready.

Plan – think about what type of garden your want and how you will use the space. Will you have lots of lawn or more garden beds or even a pool!

Professionals – some elements of your garden may need to be carried out by professionals, such as tree lopping, retaining walls or electrician for lighting features.

Prepare – prepare soil either for lawns or garden beds and build it up with organic matter.

Plantings – consider using natives and drought tolerant plants. Check with your local council about plants that are suitable for your area. In Brisbane such a service exists together with a “Free Plant” programme where each household is given 2 free native plants each year. There is also a cash-back programme where you can claim up to $50 each year for plants.

Precipitation – some permits are given to allow watering on new garden installations and some further water restrictions will apply – check with your local authority. Finally, it may be worth considering installing a tank within your Plan so you can maintain your new outdoor room – many rebates are offered for tanks, so why not take advantage of it!

Happy Gardening!