Published: 22 March 2021

Free native and sustainable gardening advice and inspiration is available at a series of talks and plant swaps next week.

Eurobodalla Council’s environment team will talk about the benefits of native gardening at Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma Libraries. Residents can also bring along bagged environmental weeds to swap for free native flowering plants as part of Council’s popular plant swap program.

Many weeds outbreaks of plants like African daisy, agapanthus and Asparagus fern start unknowingly from people’s backyards. By swapping invasive plants for natives, residents help stop the spread by removing sources of weeds from our environment.

Suited to the local climate, native gardens offer year-round colour, require less maintenance and water and attract native birds, bees and butterflies.

Council’s natural resource officer Courtney Fink Downes says now is the perfect time to plan a native garden to let it take root prior to the heat of summer.

“Planting now allows the plants to settle in over autumn and winter and they’ll be raring to go come spring and summer,” she said.

“The wet weather this week will no doubt boost the weeds. It also means they’re easier to remove by hand.”

The gardening talk will begin at 10am at Moruya Library on Saturday 27 March, while the plant swap will continue outside the library from 10am to 1pm. You can also take a stroll through the newly-established garden at Moruya Library and see native plants in situ.

The talk and swap will be held at Narooma Library Monday 29 March 10.30-11.30am and Batemans Bay Library Monday 29 March 2.30-3.30pm.

Eurobodalla Libraries coordinator Samantha Fenton said there was a definite interest in native plants and water-wise gardening among library patrons.

“Hosting events people are interested in is important to us as a service, as is being friendly to the environment, so these talks are a win-win,” she said.

Council also provides personalised help to residents wanting to establish native gardens through free its bush-friendly and water-wise garden visits.

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