Learn how to create a beautiful native garden

A new event series is set to transform backyards across the Sunshine Coast.

The Backyard Series, proudly brought to you by Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens, will run year-long practical hands-on workshops about how local native plants can be incorporated into a beautiful backyard garden design.

The low-cost workshops will be delivered by experts in the topics and align with the seasonal calendar and will be delivered in partnership with the region’s leading plant nurseries and gardening experts.

The Autumn workshops will focus on backyard basics of caring for soil, designing beautiful cottage and contemporary style native gardens and how to consider diversity as a design principle using layers and levels.

Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Councillor Peter Cox said the workshops aimed to improve backyard biodiversity across the Sunshine coast.

“These workshops are perfect for people who are already interested in gardening, or for people who are just starting their journey into native gardens and designing for biodiversity,” Cr Cox said.

“Everyone is welcome, however the knowledge gained would particularly suit people with small to medium sized blocks who would like improve their backyards to suit our climate, soils and local wildlife.”

Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens was an exceptional example of a large native garden in action.

“Local native gardens make your life easier – they are drought tolerant, low maintenance, wildlife friendly, sustainable and can have stunning, vibrant flowers,” Cr Johnston said.

“As an added bonus, by using local natives you can be sure they have evolved to suit our local Sunshine Coast conditions.

“So, whether you’d like a formal, cottage, coastal or contemporary style garden or whether you’re after the perfect native tree or shrub for a screen, or groundcover to draw in the butterflies and bees, this series of events will help you find the perfect native plant for the job.”

Registrations are essential for each event, which costs $20 per workshop.

The Backyards Series event schedule

Workshop#	Dates	Workshop presenters and topics	Registration link
		Backyard Basics
1	April 1, 2023	Dr Sandra Tuzsynksa – Giving Soil Caring for soil: Soil microbiology, fungi and worms for healthy growing conditions, Worm Flow set up.	Caring for Soil
2	April 15, 2023	Shaun Walsh – Shaun Walsh Landscape Architect How to design a beautiful native garden: achieving formal, cottage and contemporary styles with local plants.	How to Design a Beautiful Native Garden
3	April 29, 2023	Natalie Sanderson – Backyards for Biodiversity Designing gardens for diversity using layers and levels.	Designing Gardens for Diversity
		Backyards in Winter
4	June 6, 2023	TBC	TBC*
5	June 17, 2023	Spencer Shaw – Forest Heart Winter garden hacks: pruning for plant growth and health.	TBC*
6	July 1, 2023	Land for Wildlife – SCC Better the weed you know – identifying and dealing with invasive plants.	TBC*
		Backyards in Bloom
7	August 5, 2023	Karen Shaw – Forest Heart Down the garden path: groundcovers and gorgeous plants for pathways and tiny yards.	TBC*
8	August 19, 2023	Tim Lang and Clementine Ford – Coolum Community Native Nursery Designing coastal gardens: wallum flowers and selecting beautiful plants for sandy soils.	TBC*
9	September 2, 2023	TBC Suzie Pearce – Florabunda Bushcare Topic TBC	TBC*
		Backyard Habitats
10	October 7, 2023	Maureen Sheargold – MRBBG founding volunteer. Inviting birds for a bath: how to form your own birdbath.	TBC*
11	October 21, 2023	Trevor Morrison and John (surname) – ECOllaboration. DIY Frog Hotels: making simple habitats for amphibian friends.	TBC*
12	November 4, 2023	Jessica Raintree – Mooloolah River Landcare. Attracting butterflies: planting and caring for a butterfly garden.	TBC*

*To be confirmed – please subscribed to the OurSC e-newsletter at OurSC.com.au to learn when registrations open.

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