My Smart Garden Sustainability Videos
My Smart Garden
My Smart Garden is a free sustainable gardening community education program run collaboratively by partner Councils in metropolitan Naarm/Melbourne. The resources and events presented by My Smart Garden will help you grow food, shelter your home from the sun and the wind, create homes for native plants and animals, use water wisely, and reduce waste.
Website: https://mysmartgarden.org.au/
Habitat Gardening with AB Bishop
During this presentation, AB will build a mini-habitat to suit sunny or shady spots, that would fit comfortably on a balcony, and can be easily augmented to suit courtyards, nature-strips, and any sized garden. Learn about the diversity and beauty of local indigenous plants and why using some of these species will greatly increase your garden's value in the eyes of your local critters! You'll discover why we should all care about local wildlife, what the elements are that we should bring into our spaces and how to set it up in a way that local critters can't resist!
This workshop was hosted on Thursday 14 March, 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the St Kilda Library.
About AB Bishop
AB is a horticulturist, writer, and conservationist who believes that all gardens should provide elements to support local wildlife. “Insects, frogs, lizards, birds and mammals deserve the opportunity to thrive, and any landscape style has potential to become a habitat garden with a difference". AB is also the horticultural editor of Gardening Australia magazine, a host on Melbourne’s 3CR Community Radio gardening program, and a regular guest on nationwide ABC radio gardening shows.
Nature Strip Planting
This Nature Strip Planting workshop was presented by The Heart Gardening Project’s founder Emma Cutting. Emma has transformed dozens of nature strips and public spaces in the Port Phillip local community, and she is now focusing on expanding the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor, an 8km community-driven, ecology-centered wildlife corridor connecting Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Westgate Park. In this workshop, Emma will take you through the steps needed to prepare your nature strip for planting, she’ll introduce you to some of the best plants for attracting pollinators and she’ll share her passion and knowledge for connecting people to nature.
This workshop was hosted on Tuesday 30 April, 12 to 1:30 pm at the Emerald Hill Library.
Check out Emma's book, Melbourne pollinator corridor handbook available through Port Phillip Libraries.
Cooling your garden with shade and water
Presented by Professor Stephen Livesley this webinar provides an overview of what to realistically expect from tree canopies, turf irrigation and courtyard misting with regards to cooling private and public green spaces.
This presentation will draw upon local and international research studies and will discuss urban cooling through three different lenses, surface temperature, air temperature and human thermal comfort.
About Stephen Livesley
Stephen Livesley has studied forest systems for over 25 years, including tropical agroforestry, Australian savannas, and eucalypt plantations. Recently, he has focused on urban trees and green spaces in cities. Since 2010, Stephen has led research at The University of Melbourne on quantifying the benefits of urban forests like ecosystem services and biodiversity. He collaborates globally, publishes extensively, and works closely with Australian local governments and industries to apply his research for societal and environmental benefit. Stephen emphasizes the importance of scientific evidence in integrating urban forests into future urban planning and climate change adaptation strategies.
Our Thanks
These My Smart Garden events are proudly presented by City of Port Phillip on the land of the people of the Kulin Nations.
City of Port Phillip and My Smart Garden pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years.
