Climate Resilient Gardening

Extreme Weather Events

This section covers strategies for stormwater management and creating a permeable landscape to reduce flood risk. Learn how to prepare your garden for bushfires and other heat-related events, and discover the essential role of soil in water retention.

Articles

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The Rise of Sustainable Hardscaping

Sustainable hardscaping blends beauty and function. Choose eco-friendly materials and native plants that reduce heat, save water, and support wildlife in your garden.

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Water Management Techniques for Climate-Resilient Gardens

Climate change is making water management essential for gardens. Rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, mulching, greywater systems, and drought-tolerant plants all help conserve water and protect gardens from floods and droughts.

What to do for Flooded Gardens

As extreme rainfall increases, flooded gardens are becoming more common. Learn how to safely manage soil, plants, and produce after flooding with guidance from horticultural research experts.

Catching and Storing Water with Contour Banks

Building contour banks is a simple way to slow runoff, capture nutrients, and turn a sloping garden into a thriving, biodiverse space that stores water naturally.

Permeable Surfaces

ermeable paths and driveways reduce runoff, prevent flash flooding, and protect waterways from pollutants. By allowing water to soak into the soil, they support plants and safeguard local ecosystems.

We Need to Talk about Concrete

Concrete has massive environmental impacts, from high carbon emissions to resource depletion. Sustainable garden design prioritises plants suited to the site, using eco-friendly alternatives to minimise concrete use in landscapes.

Minimising water use on lawns and turf

Choose lawns wisely for sustainability. Native grasses are ideal, but even popular varieties like Kikuyu or Buffalo can be managed responsibly to conserve water and prevent unwanted spread.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design slows stormwater, reduces flooding, and captures pollutants. This Melbourne landscape shows how sustainable materials, porous paving, and native plantings create a resilient, eco-friendly urban garden.

Which Tank Should I Get?

Autumn and winter are ideal for installing rainwater tanks. Our Sustainable Shoppers Guide helps you choose the right tank, maximise water storage, and prepare your garden for spring.

Stormwater Runoff

Gardening choices affect waterway health. Excess nutrients, toxins, and pathogens from fertilisers, chemicals, and garden waste can harm aquatic life — sustainable practices help protect streams, creeks, and bays.

Videos

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Water Smart Gardening 101 Video

Water-smart gardens help Australian gardeners adapt to climate change, managing droughts and extreme rainfall while keeping landscapes productive, resilient, and beautiful with efficient water use and thoughtful design.