Environmentally friendly free garden guide

Broome residents are encouraged to get their hands on a gardening guide to make the most of native plants in their homes and gardens, all while helping the environment.

The free booklet, Coastal Gardens: A Planting Guide for Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, was launched by the Roebuck Bay Working Group two weeks ago.

It provides practical garden advice for residents to keep the town’s waters clean and healthy.

Written by RBWG project manager Kandy Curran, the 42-page publication outlines the coastal plants in Broome, and provides tips on how to avoid weeds and how to choose waterwise trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs, ground covers and vines.

Ms Curran said the book spelt out the relationship between the land and the sea.

“These plants have existed in Broome for thousands of years, which means they don’t need fertiliser or pesticide,” she said.

“This means people won’t get the pollution that comes with it.

“We give lots of little hints about how to grow them, how to mulch them and how to dig swales in the garden to catch rainwater so it doesn’t run off into the bay.”

“Other benefits with planting local natives are more birdsong, butterflies, croaking frogs, and small lizards in your garden.”

Ms Curran wrote the booklet in collaboration with Kimberley Environmental Horticulture; the Society of Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals; the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Environs Kimberley; weed specialists; and other experts. It is available from Broome Lotteries House.