Kerbside bloom

PASSIONATE nature strip gardening advocate Helen Cushing and street side gardener Patrick Meagher are helping the City of Hobart launch a free nature strip plants program.

The city is giving away 4000 free plants to help supercharge the surge in nature strip gardening across Hobart.

Residents also have the chance to win chance to win a little grow pack with a trailer load of free mulch, a bucket of biochar and an established tree. 

Mr Meagher is one of many people across Hobart getting into nature strip gardening, turning boring old grass lawns into diverse little gardens that invite birds, insect pollinators and other wildlife into local neighbourhoods.

“My neighbours often stop for a chat I’m out in his street side garden, curious not just about what’s happening in their street but what’s happening on my patch,” Mr Meagher said. 

“It’s really not a lot of work and if you ask your neighbours to help they’ll probably give you a hand.” 

Ms Cushing helped Mr Meagher with plant selection and is part of a small community group helping others create beautiful, biodiverse nature strip gardens.

She said street gardens transformed public space, bringing communities and nature together, creating beauty and giving birds, butterflies and other little critters places to feed and live.

“Nature strip gardening is a simple way to maximise nature in our human habitat, which is more urgent than ever before.”

Apply for your free nature strip plants at www.hobartcity.com.au/naturestrips