Why create a verge garden?
- Create opportunities for social interaction with passers-by 👩🌾
- Increase biodiversity 🦋
- Decrease the urban heat island effect 🏡
- Decrease water use 💧
- Support street trees 🌳
- Beautify the streetscape 🦜
Verge planting — “a space for change”
How?
- Source natives from this area – have a look at what grows well nearby, and try that first.
- Choose low shrubs and ground cover, not trees which could impede visibility for road users and potentially damage footpaths and underground and overhead infrastructure.
- Starting with tube stock is much cheaper, and will be more successful in the long run; some plants will die and some will vanish.
- Start small; this isn’t a landscaping exercise – a few square metres at a time.
- Use mulch sparingly to avoid it washing into roads and drains.
- Leave pathways for passengers getting in/out of cars.
Ready to start?
- Get your neighbours on board.
- Dial before you dig to ensure your verge planting won’t have to be dug up for repairs or maintenance: https://www.byda.com.au/
- Consider your plant choice – for example, some food plants can be considered messy and may present problems.
- Maintenance is important, especially until established.
- See the successful “Shady Lanes” project webpage for practical suggestions:
https://shadylanes.com.au/listings/brisbane-city-council/
How can we help?
- Suggest where you can source plants.
- Help you plan and plant.
