Verge Garden Workshop

Our Verge Garden Workshop, in partnership with Noosa and District Landcare, was well attended and the fine weather contributed to an enjoyable morning. It was held at the beautiful Station Place Native Garden next to the Landcare HinterHub in Pomona and attendees were able to see examples of many of the plants recommended for verges.

The Workshop was presented by landscape architect, Shaun Walsh from UWG, and horticulturalist, Bernice Rosier from Noosa Landcare.

Shaun began the presentation by talking about the Noosa Council Encroachment Policy which allows residents, in urban and some rural residential estates, to plant on their property verge. There are also specific guidelines regarding the maintenance of verges, the type and height of vegetation and landscaping restrictions. Residents who choose to take this opportunity must fulfil the obligations of planting on public land, following restrictions such as a 1.5-meter set-back from the kerb, and pathway, utility and service clearances.

Shaun also stressed the importance of using local native plants to ensure successful planting and easy maintenance of the verge garden. He suggested planting a variety of species to increase biodiversity and including various levels such as ground covers, small shrubs, grasses and larger shrubs up to two metres.

Bernice then spoke about how to choose the right plants for verge gardens. She stressed the importance of knowing the site and its soil type advising, ‘You don’t buy good soil, you make it’. Rather than importing soil, she recommended improving the existing soil with products like organic fertiliser, mulch and gypsum if necessary. Another important consideration is the sun, shade and moisture conditions of the site during the year. It is vital to choose local native plant species that suit these growing conditions and consider what it will look like in 3 to 5 years. Residents also need to think about what they want from their verge garden, such as privacy, colour, plants that attract bird and insect species, and whether they want a formal or a more natural garden.

Attendees then had the chance to enjoy morning tea while they asked further questions and worked on a design for their own verge garden with assistance from Shaun and Bernice.

Thanks Shaun and Bernice for an interesting, informative and practical workshop.

UWG, with funding from Noosa Council, has already planned and developed two demonstration verge gardens in the shire with a third scheduled for next year.

As more residents take the opportunity to create their own verge gardens it can only enhance their street amenity and contribute to climate change resilience and biodiversity values in the shire.

See these links for more information: