Design your Native Nature Strip
Learn how to design, plant and care for a Native Nature Strip Garden in line with Maribyrnong City Council’s updated local laws and Nature Strip Planting Guidelines.
Join local landscape gardener Kieran Dickson for a practical and inspiring workshop exploring how native street gardens can increase biodiversity, provide valuable habitat and enhance the look and feel of your neighbourhood – while maintaining safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Together we’ll cover:
• Designing a nature strip garden that supports biodiversity and avoids environmental weeds
• Understanding safety considerations for sightlines, footpaths and ongoing maintenance
• Site preparation, soil preparation and planting techniques to improve success rates
• Watering, mulching, propagation and long-term care
• Sourcing quality plants and trusted suppliers
There will be dedicated hands-on time to begin designing your own nature strip garden, with space to ask questions and receive feedback. You’ll leave feeling confident, informed and excited to take the next steps.
This session also creates an opportunity to meet neighbours, share ideas and build connections, because great gardens don’t just grow plants, they grow community.
Please note:
Residents who live outside Maribyrnong are encouraged to check their local council guidelines before attending this workshop.
To prepare for the workshop, please review Maribyrnong City Council’s Nature Strip Planting Guidelines available on Council’s website.
Download from this link: Nature Strip Planting Policy and Guidelines – Maribyrnong
About the facilitator
Kieran Dickson is a landscape gardener and educator with a passion for gardens that grow community. He brings practical hands-on horticultural and design knowledge together with a focus on increasing biodiversity and creating climate-resilient landscapes. His work centres on designing plantings that support local habitat, respond to changing conditions, and foster connections between people and place.
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Please feel free to bring any surplus produce, seeds, cuttings, plants, gardening magazines etc to swap and share!
Please note that this is an event for Naarm/Melbourne gardeners only. If you live outside this area, please contact your council to find out what free sustainable gardening events are available locally.
If you have any access or support questions or requirements in order to participate fully (eg. interpreter), please let us know at least two weeks prior to the event and we will be pleased to assist you. Photos will be taken at this event, but there is an option to opt out on the day.
This My Smart Garden event is proudly presented by Maribyrnong City Council on the land of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung of the Kulin nation. My Smart Garden pays our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years.
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