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Sustainable gardening

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Learn how to create a sustainable garden. Find out the benefits and use our tips to get started.

A woman and a boy planting a tree in a pot in the garden.

What is sustainable gardening?

Sustainable gardening is an approach to gardening that aims to minimise negative impacts and optimise positive impacts on the environment.

It seeks to promote the health and wellbeing of plants and animals while also conserving resources.

The benefits of sustainable gardening include:

  • reducing the amount of waste going to landfill  
  • preventing chemicals entering our creeks and streams
  • conserving water
  • reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions
  • providing food and habitat for our local wildlife.

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How to plan a sustainable garden

There are a range of ways you can make your garden self-sustaining.

Ask yourself these questions before you start. 

  • What do I want to achieve in my garden? Do I want to grow food or encourage wildlife?
  • Have I considered neighbours, underground services, power lines, bushfire risks, storms and local wildlife?
  • How will my pets be managed?
  • Where should I plant trees or vines to shade my house in summer but still let in winter sunlight?

You should also:

  • check how water flows across your property
  • identify wet, dry or steep spots
  • consider utility areas, storage and maintenance needs
  • research types of plants that suit the area, orientation, soil type and conditions.

When you’re making your garden plans, don’t forget to factor in:  

  • amenities such as barbecues  

  • privacy features  

  • adaptability to future needs  

  • visibility of play areas.

Use existing contours or contour your land to capture stormwater and avoid directing runoff to neighbouring properties. Install a rainwater tank and water your garden with fresh water.

Gardens can require a lot of water. You can help to reduce your water use by incorporating:

  • low-maintenance design, with minimal lawn areas and native ground covers instead

  • rainwater harvesting, such as a rain garden

  • composting

  • grouped plantings

  • reduced chemical use

  • shaded water features. 

Become part of our water smart community by using greywater on your garden to keep it green and healthy.  

Greywater is wastewater from the bath, shower, basin, laundry tub and washing machine. 

Follow these tips for using greywater.

  • Research the suitability of your land before using greywater.
  • Ensure the plants in your garden can tolerate greywater.
  • Avoid overwatering your garden, which can damage plants and soil.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after coming in contact with greywater. 

Garden chemicals and synthetic pesticides used in your garden can harm people, animals and the environment.

Look for alternatives to pesticides to maintain your garden and keep your loved ones safe. 

  • Swap pesticides for garlic spray, white oil or dishwashing detergent mixed with water. 
  • Create a garden that attracts ladybirds or predatory mites, which will eat pests.
  • Encourage insect-eating birds. 
  • Prevent damage to citrus trees by circling the trunk with grease to reduce the damage of some sapsuckers.
  • Cover fruit to deter larger chewing insects. 
  • Choose plants that attract insect predators or release certain chemicals (such as marigolds).
  • Keep plants healthy, weed-free and disease-resistant. Select plants less susceptible to insect invasion. 
  • Use natural pesticides such as pyrethrin and derris. Use them carefully and sparingly, as they too can cause environmental harm.
  • Remove old leaves and avoid watering leaf surfaces to reduce fungal problems. 
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Note

Don’t use pesticides on a windy day or before rain. Chemicals can drift onto plants or wash into our waterways.

Did you know that you can use your grass clippings as mulch? Mulching is a great way to prevent weeds and hold moisture in soil.

Mowing your lawn regularly also discourages weeds and encourages healthier grass by removing dead or overgrown parts. 

When mowing, only cut the top third of the grass. Cutting your lawn too short increases evaporation and promotes weed growth. 

Use a mulching mower that shreds clippings finely.

tip1

Be a good neighbour

Use mowing or trimming tools after 7am (or 8am on Sundays) and before 7pm.

Sustainable gardening tips

Work with your local soil type

Different types of soil influence where native plants can grow. Brisbane has 4 distinct soil types:

  • dark alluvial soils
  • deep red loamy soils
  • gravelly red and yellow loamy topsoil over clay
  • shallow gravelly soils.

Knowing what type of soil you have can help you choose the best plants for a sustainable garden.

Search for your suburb to find out the soil type and which plants are most suitable.

Plant natives

Native plants are a great sustainable gardening choice. They are suited to Brisbane’s climate and environmental conditions, they require less water, less work and thrive easily.

Native plants also provide food and shelter for native insect, animal and bird populations. 

Eligible residents can claim free native plants each financial year to plant in their garden.  

Find out if you’re eligible and how to claim your free native plants.

Start composting

Composting your green waste is one of the best ways to embrace a more sustainable gardening practice.

Worm farms are also a great way to dispose of your green waste and produce ‘tea’ which can be used to fertilise your garden.

Grass clippings, dried leaves and deadheaded flowers can be turned into nutrient-rich sustainable fertiliser in a compost pile. 

Learn more about composting and worm farming and the best methods for your household.