Sustainable Gardening

Waterwise gardening

There are a number of actions you can take to save water in your garden. Please note your watering days, including any seasonal limits and stick to the watering do's and don’ts. Check out the Water Corporation’s top tips for creating a waterwise garden.  Reducing lawn and planting native plants is a great way to help reduce water use.

Waterwise workshops

The City runs a Waterwise Gardening workshop series throughout the year, sharing practical tips to help you create a water‑efficient, nature‑friendly garden. Topics include verge gardening, small garden design, and attracting birds to your garden, with advice tailored to local conditions. Visit the Events webpage to view upcoming workshops and register.

Plant a native garden

By planting a native garden, you will save money on water and fertiliser as well as helping the environment. A native garden will also provide a home for birds and insects. If you’re renting, talk to your landlord about reducing lawn areas and replacing them with native vegetation or fruit trees. Ask your landlord if you can plant a veggie patch, and remember to mulch – you’ll save a lot of water.

The City offers a native plant subsidy annually in May.

Fertilise wise and grow local guides

Fertilise wise and grow local guides are aimed at specific soil types in Perth. By identifying your particular soil type, you can design a garden with the most suitable plants for your area.
Fertilise wise brochure

Coastal soils and gardens

In Cockburn, you will find coastal soils in the south-western half of Coogee, and in the western parts of Munster and Henderson. They are deep, white in colour and consist of beach sand containing limestone. They tend to be strongly alkaline (with a pH range from 8.5 to 9.5) and bore water in these areas also tends to be alkaline. They have moderate phosphorus retention. Nutrient loss occurs through the soil into groundwater and via stormwater drains.
Grow Local brochure - Coastal soils

West coastal plain soils and gardens

In Cockburn, you will find west coastal plain soils in Hamilton Hill, Munster, North Coogee, Spearwood, Coolbellup, and the western parts of North Lake, Bibra Lake, South Lake, Yangebup, Wattleup and Beeliar. They are largely yellow, orange or brown sand, usually with a grey surface, over limestone at depth. They tend to be neutral in the surface soils. Bore water in these areas tends to be alkaline. The phosphorus retention rate is moderate. Nutrient loss occurs through the soil into groundwater and via stormwater drains.
Grow Local brochure - West coastal

Central coastal plain soils and gardens

Central coastal plain soils are 10-20 km from the coast and tend to be grey, white or very pale brown sand. In Cockburn, you will find central coastal plain soils in Jandakot, Success, Atwell, Banjup and on the eastern parts of North Lake, Bibra Lake, South Lake, Yangebup, Beeliar and Wattleup. Central coastal plain soils are comprised mainly of deep sands. They range from neutral to acid with a pH range of 4.0 to 6.0. Bore water can be acidic. Phosphorus retention is extremely low.  Nutrient loss occurs readily through the soil into groundwater and via stormwater drains.
Grow Local brouchure - Central coastal plain soils

​​​Verge gardens 

Verge gardens transform nature strips into green, welcoming spaces that benefit the whole neighbourhood. By planting low‑growing, waterwise and locally appropriate plants, residents can improve street appeal, support local biodiversity and help cool our streets. Verge gardens must be designed safely, maintaining clear sightlines, access to services and space for pedestrians.

If you’re thinking about creating or improving a verge garden, make sure it meets the City’s requirements. The City of Cockburn’s Verge Improvement Guidelines provide clear advice on suitable plants, layouts, approvals and maintenance. Find out more about what you can do on your verge here.

Community gardens

The City has developed a Community Garden Policy and Guidelines to help people establish and maintain successful community gardens.