maintenance

Weeding, pruning, mulching and following the recommended watering practices will help you reduce water use in your garden. Spending some time on proper planning, plant selection, installation and maintenance will provide you with an environment that looks as good as it did when it was first created.

weeding

Large emergent weeds (especially those with seed heads or in flower) should be removed immediately

watering

Once native plants are established they require little attention, and most are capable of surviving on natural rainfall.  Monitor your garden, particularly during drought, to see if it is suffering and drying out excessively.  Watering after long dry and windy periods will help plants survive.  Natives respond well to regular watering if available.

mulching

Annual mulching will provide ongoing benefits to your plants, stop weeds and keep things looking good

replanting

Replant where necessary to maintain a healthy appearance.  Inspect during Spring and fill in gaps as required

fertilising

Using a native slow release fertiliser when replanting will get plants off to a good start.  Improve and remineralise soils in new beds as required, and stick to natural products and methods where possible

pruning

A light trim or tip prune after flowering is beneficial to the health of your plants, keeps things looking fresh and promote new growth.  Simply cut off old flowers and trim off the tips of the stems lightly with sharp, clean secateurs

Shrubs and trees should be pruned annually to remove lower limbs and scrappy foliage and protect your property from unnecessary fire hazards.  Pruning techniques are species dependant.  Contact your local garden centre for advice

pruning natives

Native plants gow actively at different times of the year.  Grass like or strappy leaved plants (lilies, rushes, sedges) such as Dianella, Lomandra, Ficinea, Carex and Juncus don’t need pruning.  Some (rushes) could be cut back every 2 – 3 years if a neater visual aesthetic is required

Cool season grasses such as Austrodanthionia, Austrostipa, Dichelacne, Microlaena and Poa have an Autumn / Winter growing period, which means:

• You can regenerate them by cutting them back by around 1/3 of their leaf area every Autumn
• Some species will become dormant in Summer and ‘brown off’. Water regularly to keep these grasses looking good.  Use a rake to ‘comb’ the old brown grass from the tussock, or simply leave it and cut back in Autumn
• Winter growing grasses will grow vigorously if planted in Autumn and Winter

Warm season grasses such as Bothriochloa, Pennisetum and Themeda are Summer growing which means:

• They can be rejuvenated in late winter or Spring by cutting back around 1/3 of their leaf area