The Wombat Gully Plant Farm in Berwick recently became a Water Saver Garden Centre with staff members Yvonne Peheim and Kristy Smyth ready to help local gardeners save water.
GREEN-thumbed gardeners can now keep their yard lush without using too much water.
Two Casey nurseries have recently become one-stop shops for water-wise gardening after signing up for a new State Government initiative.
Our Water Our Future Water Saver Garden Centre program will provide nurseries with informative in-store displays to promote water-wise gardening.
Nursery centre staff will also undertake an accredited TAFE course in water saving.
South East Water managing director Dennis Cavagna said a low water-use garden did not have to be sparse and dry.
“People will be surprised how easy it is to have a lush, healthy garden while using less water,” he said.
Mr Cavagna said 50 nurseries were taking part in the new initiative, including Cranbourne Country Garden Centre and Wombat Gully Plant Farm in Berwick.
“These centres have staff trained to deliver the best advice on how to save water in the garden and showcase many of the latest water saver products and ideas,” Mr Cavagna said.
Simon Andrews of Wombat Gully Nurseries said the new display would change each season and display different ways to conserve water in the garden.
He said nursery staff would help highlight the most water-economic plants by placing swing tags on various shrubs.
Staff will also talk to local gardeners about other water conservation initiatives such as the use of mulch and granules.
Mr Andrews said saving water was not a passing fad but was here to stay, and people needed to plan their gardens around ongoing water restrictions.
Residents who visit the Water Saver Centres this month can enter the draw to win a $20,000 garden makeover by celebrity gardener Jamie Durie’s own landscape team.
Mr Cavagna said the competition would reward the community for their water-saving efforts so far and celebrate the success of the Water Saver Garden Centres.
To enter the Garden Makeover competition, residents need to get into their local Water Saver Garden Centre and fill in the entry form. A full list of the Water Saver Garden Centres is available at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au. The winner will be drawn on 7 July.
