![Lily Berry and Courtney Fink-Downes in bush-friendly garden outside Moruya Library.](https://aboutregional.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/bush-friendly-garden-3-810x608.jpg)
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s environment project officer, Lily Berry (left), and natural resource officer, Courtney Fink-Downes (right), in the bush-friendly garden outside Moruya Library. Photo: Supplied.
Eurobodalla Shire residents who would like to grow more native plants and create an environmentally friendly garden are being offered free help through Eurobodalla Shire Council’s bush-friendly garden program home visits.
The council’s sustainability team is available to help residents identify plants, suggest appropriate native plants, provide advice on weeds, and give general water-saving tips to residents in the Eurobodalla Shire.
Their advice will be tailored to residents’ needs and interests, such as those who want more colour, to attract frogs or birds, or create a low-maintenance garden.
Council’s natural resource officer, Courtney Fink-Downes, said the visits will suit anyone, whether their garden is established or they are creating a new one.
“Bush-friendly gardens feature plants suited to our local soil and climate so they tend to grow better and require less water and maintenance,” she said.
“That doesn’t mean they need to look boring – bush-friendly gardens can provide flowers all year round and they come in all shapes and sizes.
“They can also attract some lovely and colourful visitors, and provide much-needed food for birds, butterflies, lizards and frogs.
“By making your garden more bush friendly, you’re supporting the local environment by using less water and removing problem plants that can become weeds, and providing food and shelter for our shire’s smallest residents. Watching birds feeding on flowers in your own garden is nice, too.”
Council’s bush-friendly garden visit includes a voucher for the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens nursery and information about weeds and good alternatives.
To book your visit, phone Eurobodalla Shire Council’s natural resource officer Courtney Fink-Downes on 02 4474 7493, or email her.