The central coast has a wide diversity of beautiful native flora. You can help preserve this heritage by growing some of these plants in your garden.

With careful native plant selection and good garden practice, you can also achieve an environmentally friendly garden where:

• water and chemical use will be reduced
• waste products will be minimised

Growing Native Plants

• Accept the challenge to do something different.
• Choose the right plant for the right spot.
• Shrubs or small trees are more suitable for most suburban gardens rather than forest giants.
• Research and development is improving the size, colour and range of available native flowering plants, producing many exciting new cultivars.
• Contrary to popular belief, trials have shown that Australian native plants will respond to regular watering and the use of fertilisers suitable for native plants.
• Occasional deep watering during dry periods will encourage plants to develop a deep root system.
• They also thrive with a layer of mulch or compost to help maintain constant soil temperature.
• Grow native plants as they are different in colour, foliage and character. With imaginative use you can achieve a unique look for your garden.

Looking after the Soil

By using compost, worm castings and mulch on your garden you will

• Improve the quality of your garden soil
• have a healthy, productive garden

Composting

Any organic matter such as newspapers, fallen leaves, prunings and grass clippings can be added to home composting units.
Leaves can be used directly on your garden as mulch. The benefits of regular composting include:

• Improved drainage
• Increased water holding capacity
• Increased aeration
• Insulation against temperature extremes
• Increased activity of tiny helpful organisms in the soil

Mulching

In bushland the soil is covered with leaves and bark, in your garden you can recreate the healthy growing conditions of nature by covering your soil surface mulches. Keep the mulch away from the plant trunk to avoid collar rot. Mulching helps:

• Maintain even soil temperatures
• Reduces water loss through evaporation
• Slows weed growth
• Provides a slow-release nutrient source

Worm Farms

Red or tiger worms are the worms most commonly used for worm farms. They are wonderful garbage guzzlers and can eat half their body weight in food scraps a day, which is a cheap and simple way to cut down the amount of garbage you throw away. As a bonus, they produce a rich soil conditioner.

By composting, worm farming and mulching garden organics, you can reduce the production of green house gases and other air pollutants.

Nature Helps Your Garden

Growing plants that are native to your local area links your garden to the local wildlife such as birds, frogs and lizards. Birds need the food and shelter provided by grasses, shrubs and trees. Lizards need rocks and logs for protection and Frogs need water.
Birds, frogs and lizards eat snails, insects and other garden pests.

Enjoying the Bush