Sabrina Hahn encourages South West home owners to convert lawn verges to native gardens

Gardening enthusiasts in the South West picked up a wealth of inspiration from experts at the Busselton Wildflower and Environment show on the weekend.

A highlight of the event was Bay OK’s Gardening with Wildflowers workshop, where attendees got to meet celebrity gardener Sabrina Hahn and discover how to encourage birds and wildlife into their gardens, improve their soil, and look after the local waterways.

GeoCatch staff were on hand to share their handy tips and tricks to create a Bay OK garden with many displays on gardening with wildflowers and habitat-friendly gardening.

Local business, Soils aint Soils Busselton and Dunsborough, also provided examples of the many native plant species available for gardeners.

“There are so many inspiring exhibitors at the show, like Johnny the Frog Doctor and Sabrina,” workshop participant and local gardener Lisa Wain said.

“Seeing the community come together to learn more about responsible gardening is great, I am sure that many people will leave here and build a frog pond with native rushes and reeds or improve their soil with some of the tips we got from the presenters.”

With the predicted hot summer ahead, many homeowners are thinking about the future of their gardens and lawns.

Sabrina Hahn revealed that many South West gardeners are turning to water-wise, low-nutrient native gardens as a solution.

“When planning your garden or verge renovation, the most important part is improving your soil, as Busselton soils are very sandy and don’t hold nutrients or water,” she said.

“Use a wetting agent multiple times a year, add clay, some compost and a layer of mulch, then you can look at layering different height plants to provide animal habitat.”

GeoCatch have been working with homeowners in the region to convert their lawn verges to native gardens.

The Bay OK Gardens’ native verge project provides guidance and useful tips on removing turf, soil improvement and selecting appropriate species.

GeoCatch and Busselton Water are looking for six neighbours in Busselton to team up to reduce their water bills by turning their lawn verges into waterwise, low nutrient gardens.

If you and your neighbours are interested, email lisa.massey@dwer.wa.gov.au or phone GeoCatch on 0491 069 078.