Annie

"My garden is as sustainable as I can make it. It provides food for the humans, habitat for frogs and birds, and uses grey water for watering…It sits lightly upon the earth, uses recycled materials, provides peace & tranquility for those who use & sit amongst my piece of heaven".

This water feature is made from broken plates and bowls. Goldfish in the pond eat the mozzie larvae. Annie protects the tadpoles from her goldfish by putting them in a wire mesh container in the pond.

"We have designated beds for Australian natives, food & fruit production and flowers for decoration, although veggies, fruit trees, natives are spread throughout the garden." All household food and waste is recycled by composting kitchen & garden waste, a worm farm for dog manure, sealed buckets for weeds (read more about this in the January 2005 online newsletter) (these waste treatment areas are screened from the rest of the garden by a lemon tree) and 2 chickens

Michelle

"I began this garden to gain knowledge and satisfy my interest in the local flora, fauna and ecosystems... Three years later I’m happy to say, you can sit in my garden and forget that you’re in suburbia, but maybe in the bushland that used to be there". There are two ponds in Michelle's garden that catch surrounding water. In summer they will dry out to become bog gardens. They are planted with species that will grow in seasonally wet soil. The raised front garden bed includes some rare indigenous plants that are used to supply propagating materials for local indigenous nurseries. Some remnant grassland plants, such as Microlaena and native orchids, were discovered still growing in the front garden. Michelle has removed more than 50% of her lawn. She has to control Kikuyu on the fence line, but she only sprays it at the right time, under the right conditions. She has removed from her garden environmental weeds such as ivy and morning glory vine.

Michelle’s garden contains more than 100 different species of indigenous plants, mostly from Darebin. All are rare, and about half are endangered.

Michelle has created several habitats, such as this wetland, and also grasslands and escarpment shrubland, all with permission of the landlord, as hers is a rental property. Wildlife visitors include: the gecko, butcher bird, silver eye, hobby falcon, white faced heron, ringtail possum, damselfly and more than 5 types of native bee.

Beautiful wildflower colours.

Milkmaids in Michelle's garden, but not commonly seen in nurseries.

When in flower many indigenous plants seem to glow. Seen here are Trigger plants and daisies.

Asphyxia

"I have a food garden- a suburban jungle crammed with fruit and nut trees, berries, herbs, vegetables and flowers. I’ve maximised use of a small space by growing vines and espaliering trees... this minimalises environmental impact associated with commercial production, importing and storing food".

"These beautiful fences and gates were made of off cuts from a friend’s hazel plants. They are both ornamental and functional.".

"Chickens free range through the garden, munching on snails and other pests... I use no chemicals and promote sound soil structure through no-dig techniques and onsite management of all garden and kitchen waste. My garden is fertilised with organic nutrients - mainly our homemade compost, worm casting and droppings from the chickens." A mature gum tree was growing in the garden when it was decided to build a mud brick house there. The house was built around the tree! Asphyxia’s garden has chooks, worm farms and composting, all of which provide onsite disposal of garden and kitchen waste.