Practical Landscaping Strategies for Flood Resilience in Australia

Practical Landscaping Strategies for Flood Resilience in Australia

In the ever-changing terrain of Australia, where floods are an inevitable part of the landscape, we turn our attention to investigating practical landscaping strategies that can empower you to shift from being a victim to a survivor in the face of rising waters.

Know Your Flood Risk

Start with the basics. Understand the flood risk in your area. Check local flood maps, consult with authorities, and consider your property’s elevation.

Flood-Resistant Flora: Working with Nature

Your garden can be both stunning and resilient. Choose plants that thrive in wet conditions, like Bottlebrushes (Callistemon), Paperbarks (Melaleuca) Tea Trees (Leptospermum), Swamp Oaks (Casuarina glauca) or Swamp Lilies (Crinum pedunculatum). Consider elevated flower beds to keep your blooms above potential floodwaters.

Hardscaping: Defend with Design

Strategic hardscaping is your tactical move against floods. Build retaining walls strategically to redirect water away from vulnerable areas. Opt for permeable surfaces like gravel or permeable pavers that allow water to penetrate the ground, reducing runoff.

Rain Gardens: Nature’s Flood Fighters

Turn excess water into an asset with rain gardens. These are essentially depressed areas planted with water-loving vegetation that absorb and manage rainwater. Learn how to create a rain garden on your property, turning a potential flood risk into a beautiful and functional feature.

Elevate Structures, Elevate Safety

Where possible, elevate sheds, seating areas, and play spaces to keep them above potential flood levels. This not only protects your investments but also creates additional usable space. Practical and efficient!

Community Landscaping Collaborations

Work together with your neighbours to create communal rain gardens, and share knowledge. Together, you can create public spaces that are capable of bouncing back after a flood event as well as building a strong community bond.

Learn from Flood-Resilient Gardens

Take a virtual tour of gardens that have weathered floods successfully. Discover practical tips from gardeners who’ve been there. These real-life stories provide actionable insights that you can implement in your own backyard.

As you can see there are there are numerous ways to mitigate the impact of a flood on your garden. While implementing strategic landscape designs can help reduce the effects, it’s important to note that these measures don’t offer an absolute guarantee of protection.

…. and if you need any further help, ring Angela on 0416397258 for expert advice on Your Landscape Journey.

Unlocking Wellness: 10 Expert Tips for Crafting Your Personal Wellbeing Garden

Unlocking Wellness

10 Expert Tips for Crafting Your Personal Well-Being Garden to Elevate Health and Lifestyle

Want some tips to create a garden space that improves your wellness?

Are you longing to escape the daily pressures of day-to-day living without leaving home? There is a way – the solution is to plan your own private garden escape. We reveal our top landscape design tips to help you transform your outdoor space into a tranquil retreat.

See my top tips below…. and if you need any further help, ring Angela on 0416397258 for expert advice on Your Landscape Journey.

10 Expert Tips for crafting your own personal wellbeing garden to elevate your health and lifestyle

Seek what you need: Determine the primary purpose of your well-being garden. Whether it’s for relaxation, meditation, exercise, or growing your own produce, knowing the garden’s purpose will guide your choices.

Create a secluded entrance: the right entrance to your garden can create a sense of transition from the outside world to your private retreat while creating a mood of anticipation and intrigue.
Enclosure and Privacy: an enclosed space offers a sheltered environment that feels safe and secure. This feeling of protection triggers a relaxation response, helping to reduce stress hormones and promote a calm state of mind.
Shelter with lush greenery: Create shaded areas using structures such as pergolas or trees to provide relief from direct sunlight.
Comfortable seating: Choose comfortable and inviting seating options, such as cushioned benches, hammocks, or swing chairs. These seating areas invite you to relax and enjoy the garden.
Incorporate mindfulness elements: Install a water feature or wind chimes to create soothing sounds, walking paths, a labyrinth, a designated meditation area, or possibly a Zen Garden.
Create a sensory garden: Introduce a variety of textures, shapes, fragrance and materials in your garden to engage different senses. Incorporate elements like smooth pebbles, soft grass, rough bark, and tactile sculptures. Sensory gardens can be beneficial for children, the elderly, those with cognitive impairments to name but a few.
Select a calming colour palette: opt for soft and cool tones like blues, greens, white and purples. These colours have a soothing effect and contribute to a peaceful atmosphere.
Keep it natural: use stone, wood, and gravel. Incorporate them into pathways, seating areas, and other decorative elements.
Give it the personal touch: include items that hold special significance for you, evoking positive emotions.

if you need any further help, get in touch with Angela on 0416397258 for expert advice on Your Landscape Journey.

How to create the ultimate outdoor entertaining area

Create the Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining Area

4 Costly Mistakes to Avoid In Landscape Design

4-costly-mistakes-to-avoid-landscape-design

MY Tips

4 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Garden

We all love to watch the reality TV shows, filling our imaginations with an instant garden. But how real is the outcome?

MY Tips

4 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Garden

We all love to watch the reality TV shows, filling our imaginations with an instant garden. But how real is the outcome?

4 Costly Mistakes To Avoid in Landscape Design

As a landscape architect, I see my clients at two stages. One is the at beginning of their landscape design journey, and the other is at the end. The question is why would you need a designer at the end? It should all be finished and lived in.

The stage at the end is always the most distressing for my new client, because their journey has gone ‘’pear shaped’’ and they ring me asking for help.

Most people start their landscape journey with fabulous images, dreaming of their garden paradise. This is a great way to start, but the only way to progress is through the design process, and yes, designing a garden landscape is a process, if the outcome is to be best suited to the home and budget.

Choosing the right professionals is an important aspect of the planning stage do you need a Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer?

My Top Tips

#1

The first mistake to avoid is not getting an experienced professional –this could be a landscape architect or designer, building draftsman or engineer as part of the design team.

#2

The second mistake is not doing adequate research. This will avoid costly mistakes down the track –these could be council regulations, legal issues, soil and plant requirements specifically for your project.

#3

The third mistake to avoid is not doing costings throughout the design process. So in the end you can actually construct the final landscape design within your budget.

#4

The fourth mistake to avoid is not checking the insurances and licences for contractors before construction commences.

The stage at the end is always the most distressing for my new client, because their journey has gone ‘’pear shaped’’ and they ring me asking for help..."

Landscape Design

How to Drought Proof Your Garden

MY Tips

DROUGHT PROOF YOUR LANDSCAPE GARDEN IN SYDNEY

MY Tips

DROUGHT PROOF YOUR LANDSCAPE GARDEN IN SYDNEY

Is it irresponsible to water your garden during the drought?

Considering the effects trees and gardens have on reducing temperatures and providing wildlife habitat the answer is a resounding ….NO!

Trees can reduce temperatures by an average of 10 Degrees Celcius, that’s cheaper than air-conditioning and better for the climate.

See my top tips below…. and if you need any further help, ring Angela on 0416397258 for expert advice on Your Landscape Journey.

Tips & Tricks

Here’s an easy list of things to do to help with your time and budget…

Shower

Have a cool shower with your indoor pot plant

Water tanks

Install water tanks to store runoff…..many sizes and capacities for small to large spaces

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation from your local irrigation shop … they can give expert advice on what to buy and DIY

Mulch and more mulch

The best type to use is leaf mulch like the forest floor, as it has leaves, twigs and chips. Just wood chip can cause ‘nitrogen draw down’ in plants, so you then spend lots of money fertilising!

Wetting agents

Wetting agents – either granules or wetting solution from your local hardware store

Sydney Water

LOOK up Sydney Water’s website for the do’s and don’ts of the current water restrictions for your landscape garden Sydney

Tips & Tricks

Here’s an easy list of things to do to help with your time and budget…

Shower

Have a cool shower with your indoor pot plant

Water tanks

Install water tanks to store runoff…..many sizes and capacities for small to large spaces

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation from your local irrigation shop … they can give expert advice on what to buy and DIY

Mulch and more mulch

The best type to use is leaf mulch like the forest floor, as it has leaves, twigs and chips. Just wood chip can cause ‘nitrogen draw down’ in plants, so you then spend lots of money fertilising!

Wetting agents

Wetting agents – either granules or wetting solution from your local hardware store

Sydney Water

LOOK up Sydney Water’s website for the do’s and don’ts of the current water restrictions for your landscape garden Sydney