Richard's Recipe for a Habitat Garden

Richard Rowe’s ‘Recipe for a habitat garden’ is one of SGA’s most popular workshop topics.  Here’s a summary of the steps involved in creating a habitat garden, just for you!

• • • First take a small plot of land and plan its habitat future
    • Next, sprinkle the soil with compost to power the soil-food-web
    • Add a layer of organic mulch for soil health, bugs, beetles and lizards
    • Plant an indigenous tree for the future. Care for your mature ones
    • Add clumps of dense prickly shrubs where small birds can shelter and nest
    • Add a small dash of nectar plants as a lolly shop for the sweet tooth
    • Add a variety of native grasses for fine dining seed eaters
    • Splash your garden café with dense, open and long-flowering natives
      for insects such as butterflies
    • Mix well and apply water wisely

  

  • • Add a source of fresh water for drinking and bathing
    • Install nesting boxes and insect hotels as nurseries for a new generation
    • Include a warm rocky couch for lizards to lounge and butterflies to court
    • Add a frog-friendly bog or pond and listen to the croaks of joy
    • Manage introduced predators and pets
    • Avoid encouraging aggressive or abundant wildlife
    • Stop using harsh garden chemicals.

  Serving suggestion: include a place for you to sit and enjoy the harmony of your Whole of Environment Garden as wildlife returns.

  Source: Richard Rowe
  Copyright Sustainable Gardening Australia 2017