Sustainable Gardening

Grow It Local

Grow it Local is a grass roots program that aims to get more people growing, sharing knowledge and eating locally grown foods. On the Grow it Local website you can list your garden and connect with other like-minded people in our community. We encourage you to ‘put your veggie patch’ on the map and get involved at Grow It Local.

Water saving in the garden

There are a number of actions you can take to save water in your garden. Please note your watering days, including any seasonal limits and stick to the watering do's and don’ts. Check out the Water Corporation’s top tips for creating a waterwise garden.  Reducing lawn and planting native plants is a great way to help reduce water use.

Plant a native garden

By planting a native garden, you will save money on water and fertiliser as well as helping the environment. A native garden will also provide a home for birds and insects. If you’re renting, talk to your landlord about reducing lawn areas and replacing them with native vegetation or fruit trees. Ask your landlord if you can plant a veggie patch, and remember to mulch – you’ll save a lot of water. The City offers a native plant subsidy annually in May and a Waterwise Verge Rebate program from April to September.

Fertilise wise and grow local guides

Fertilise wise and grow local guides are aimed at specific soil types in Perth. By identifying your particular soil type, you can design a garden with the most suitable plants for your area.

Coastal soils and gardens

In Cockburn, you will find coastal soils in the south-western half of Coogee, and in the western parts of Munster and Henderson. They are deep, white in colour and consist of beach sand containing limestone. They tend to be strongly alkaline (with a pH range from 8.5 to 9.5) and bore water in these areas also tends to be alkaline. They have moderate phosphorus retention. Nutrient loss occurs through the soil into groundwater and via stormwater drains.

Western coastal plain soils and gardens

In Cockburn, you will find western coastal plain soils in Hamilton Hill, Munster, North Coogee, Spearwood, Coolbellup, and the western parts of North Lake, Bibra Lake, South Lake, Yangebup, Wattleup and Beeliar. They are largely yellow, orange or brown sand, usually with a grey surface, over limestone at depth. They tend to be neutral in the surface soils. Bore water in these areas tends to be alkaline. The phosphorus retention rate is moderate. Nutrient loss occurs through the soil into groundwater and via stormwater drains.

• Fertilise wise – western coastal plain soils
• Grow local – western coastal plain

Central coastal plain soils and gardens

Central coastal plain soils are 10-20 km from the coast and tend to be grey, white or very pale brown sand. In Cockburn, you will find central coastal plain soils in Jandakot, Success, Atwell, Banjup and on the eastern parts of North Lake, Bibra Lake, South Lake, Yangebup, Beeliar and Wattleup. Central coastal plain soils are comprised mainly of deep sands. They range from neutral to acid with a pH range of 4.0 to 6.0. Bore water can be acidic. Phosphorus retention is extremely low.  Nutrient loss occurs readily through the soil into groundwater and via stormwater drains.

• Fertilise wise – central coastal plain
• Grow local – central coastal plain

Edible verge gardens 

Verges can be great places to grow productive and edible verge gardens. Please refer to the City's Verge Improvement Policy for more information on growing fruit and vegetables on your verge.

Community gardens

The City has developed a Community Garden Policy and Guidelines to help people establish and maintain successful community gardens.