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A water-saving front yard

February 19, 2008 @ 21:10 By Gavin Webber 1 Comment


During the Summer of 06/07, water restrictions in Melbourne hit my front lawn with a vengeance, so much so that most of the time it was either dead or overgrown with golden oxalis (soursob) weeds. Kim and I decided to do something about it. The previous year, my father, Adam and I built a white picket fence around the frontage which stopped the local riff raff from cutting the corner (we live on a corner block) and walking across the yard. The fence was nice and sturdy, and cordoned off the area, so now we could landscape the yard.

Knowing the predictions regarding climate change and the likelihood of reduced rainfall in our area, we decided that the lawn was a waste of precious water and effort. A Native and drought tolerant planting would be the way to go, with one exception. Kim wanted an Ornamental weeping cherry tree as part of the planting, and I didn’t condone the idea, but had a funny feeling that it would struggle to survive with limited love and attention.

We chose a concrete type of paver that would be laid as the garden bed border. In hindsight, I should have used recycled bricks for the edging because I now know that the process of making concrete is a large producer of GHG.

Kim and I started early in the morning as we know it was going to be warm in the afternoon. We had to dig a level trench about 12 metres long, and it was very hard work, mainly because part of it was under a large eucalyptus tree and the roots were very shallow. So out came the axe and mattock to cut through, as I knew that a few copped roots would not harm the tree. It took six hours to dig and lay the border, and by the time we were finished it was 36 degrees Celsius! It was definitely time for a swim in the pool. It was a tough slog but worth it.

The next day we planted a row of Photinia around the fence line ensuring that there was a good handful of blood and bone fertilizer in each hole. Then we laid weed matting and pine bark to top it off as mulch. If I remember correctly it got to 40 degrees that day and the plants were well watered in for the next few days and then once a week to ensure survival. We were so tired after this weekends work, we didn’t do any more work for a month. In fact I was so put off by the whole thing, that Kim suggested that some professional help would be in order.

We had been recommended by friends a local guy who ran the “Grey Army” franchise. Greg was a nice bloke who quoted a decent hourly rate and all we had to supply was the materials and plants. Seven more garden beds later, and many loads of soil, all of the plants were in the ground and well watered. All that remained was the 3 cubic metres of Tuscan style pebble to finish off the paths around the beds. We decided to elicit the help of Amy, Amy’s then boyfriend Shaun, Megan, Kim, Ben and myself, and do it all without any outside help. Over the course of the next weekend we laid the weed matting to inhibit weed growth, and all the pebbles. Boy, were we tired after all of that, but what a sense of achievement! It looked fantastic.

Kim and I were really impressed with our handy work. Sixteen or so months on, the cherry tree died and so did some of the smaller plants, however the remainder are surviving well. It all grows on limited hand watering, and mainly survives on the limited rainfall we now receive. I fertilize with blood and bone once a year and keep the beds well mulched to about 5cm. I only hand water if we have a long dry spell over summer and leave it be over the other seasons.

By drought proofing the front yard, we have halved our home water usage based on previous years usage, which was a great result. The project cost us about $3500 all up (including Greg) and was well worth the effort. I never have to mow the lawn again! I have had many positive comments from passers-by when I was first watering in the garden. I am very proud that we did it as a family (except Adam. I can’t remember where he was).

Special thanks go to Kim, Amy, Megan, Shaun, Ben and of course Butch.

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Filed Under: climate change, Family, water

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    February 23, 2008 at 13:17

    Its Great to see someone that cares about the environment we live in…..Fantastic Effort!!

    Reply

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

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    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

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    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

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    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

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    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

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    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

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    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

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    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

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    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

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    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

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    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

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    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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