Green garden makeover

By Casey Neill
BORONIA’S Anne Roberts recently helped Knox Council’s Gardens for Wildlife program notch up a major milestone.
Ms Roberts and her family recently moved to the area and became the 250th to sign up for the free service.
“The garden was in need of some TLC so I decided to ask for some help,” she said.
Gardens for Wildlife helps residents boost the municipality’s indigenous plant population and create a home for native wildlife.
Ms Roberts has two young daughters, aged 2 and 3.
“We want to get some birds, butterflies and bugs coming back into our garden,” she said.
She will soon receive a personal garden evaluation before embarking on the much-needed makeover.
The family will plant an entirely native front garden, and will include a vegie garden in their backyard. Ms Roberts hopes to install a water tank to create a self-sustaining front yard.
Dinsdale Ward councillor Adam Gill said Gardens for Wildlife helped protect and restore Knox’s native environment.
“Habitat is shrinking and new threats to local wildlife emerge every day,” he said.
“This program is a perfect way to create a home for locally threatened wildlife while educating the community on the benefits of supporting our native flora and fauna.”
“Even if it’s just a couple of native plants, you’re well on your way to establishing an area perfect for local wildlife.”
More information about Gardens for Wildlife is available by calling Knox Council on 9298 8000 or visiting www.knox.vic.gov.au.