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Converting front lawn to wild life garden

Hi @EricL and @MitchellMc Hope you are keeping well. I am after some ideas and suggestions. Looking to transform the front lawn to a wild life garden. Wondering on ideas of how to start and how to go about it. I have enclosed photos of the left and right sections of the front lawn.

All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Partha

Left section of front lawnRight section of front lawn

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MitchellMc

Hi Partha (@PN),

I'd be keen to hear about what type of wildlife you'd like to encourage into your garden. Birds and bees would be a great place to start as they are easily attracted with the use of flowering plants. Preference should be given to native plants as they are drought tolerant and require little maintenance. Some suggestions would be Grevilleas, Kangaroo paw, Gums and Wooly bush, to name a few. However, we have an extensive range of native plants to choose from.

A water source is also a fantastic way to draw in wildlife. A simple birdbath or pond feature would be a good place to start.

A rockery encourages a myriad of different insects and lizards to find refuge. We have Whites 80-120mm 20kg Natural Landscaping Stone and can order landscape bush rock, sandstone and feature boulders.

You should find these guides useful: How to attract birds, bees and wildlife to your garden and How to attract bees and butterflies.

Looking forward to hearing more about your project and providing further assistance.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/15561#Comment_15561

Hi @MitchellMc

Thanks heaps. I am looking to create a sanctuary for birds and bees. Thank you so much for your suggestions on plant and feature choice. It is a bit daunting to start such a project so your suggestions are most helpful. We are looking at having native plants to encourage the local bird life to visit.

Many Thanks

Partha

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/70351#Comment_70351

@PN,

Excellent decision. I'd suggest a birdbath and some flowering natives to start. As soon as you include those, you'll see exponential growth in the number of birds and bees that frequent your garden.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/98287#Comment_98287

Thank you @MitchellMc will get started this weekend and will share results progressively.

Thanks

Partha

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/98287#Comment_98287

Hi @MitchellMc

I have ventured to the Warragul store and got following plants:

1. Kangaroo Paw Bush Gems Inferno

2. Bush Dance (anigozanthos hybrid Syn: Rambudan

3. Anigozabthos Frosty Red (Anigozanthos rufus)

4. Grevillea Filioba x pinaster Low form (phoenix)

I wanted to check Mitchell, at what gap should we plant these to allow enough room for growth?

Many Thanks

Partha

pstq

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115869#Comment_115869

You might want to check if there's a nursery that can supply local provenance plants, so they're the exact type for the local birds. Honey bees aren't native, so doesn't affect them.

If you ever get snakes in your area, consider if creating habitat for them is a good idea. We do, so we avoid creating any areas for them to hide.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125883#Comment_125883

Thanks @pstq . Very helpful. Big project this for a novice like me so all advise greatly appreciated.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115869#Comment_115869

Hi @PN,

That sounds like a great selection you've picked up. Kangaroo paws (1, 2, and 3) should be planted 30cm or more apart, and they'll spread to fill in the gaps. Grevillea Filioba x pinaster can grow between 1.5-2m wide. I wouldn't plant them any closer than 3m from each other or 2m from anything else.

I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of the plantings.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125886#Comment_125886

Thank you so much @MitchellMc Mitchell. Very helpful. I will do the plantings and share the photos. Got a bird bath also with some stones and will put those up too.

Thanks

Partha

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125886#Comment_125886

Hi @MitchellMc

First baby step on the lawn transformation. The Japanese Maple planted. All products used from Bunnings. Richgro black marvel garden compost in the hole dug, then mulch to cover after planting, 2 x stakes to support the plant and also 1 x jute twine .

I also wanted to check Mitchell what would you recommend to use as replacement for the lawn once all planting is done, which is some way off.

Many Thanks

ParthaJapense Maple

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132607#Comment_132607

Many thanks for the update Partha (@PN).

I didn't realise you were planning on removing all the grassed areas. I'd recommend a substantial amount of flowering ground coverings and a selection of pebbles or hardwood mulch. Here are some suggestions for ground covers.

Check out this neat tool from Gardena for garden planning, as it will give you a good idea for spacing and your final design. Also, check out @Adam_W's guides on How to plan a garden makeover and How to give your garden a makeover.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136705#Comment_136705

Thank you @MitchellMc .

Very helpful the suggestions for ground cover. Fair bit of work ahead on this project!

Many Thanks

Partha

pstq

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136705#Comment_136705

I can't get the Gardena link to come up. Is it just me?

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139523#Comment_139523

Hi @pstq

I've tested the link @MitchellMc has placed and it works just fine. Here is another avenue for you to try - Gardena. Once you are on their main website go to their menu bar at the top and click on Garden Life. There is a drop-down menu that will show you where the garden planner is. You might also want to check your anti-virus settings as they may be preventing you from going to the Gardena site.

Here is the original link: Garden Planner

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

pstq

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141433#Comment_141433

It's working today, maybe they had an outage for a while.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136705#Comment_136705

Hi @MitchellMc Mitchell

Latest photos after planting the Kangaroo paws and gravellias. Next steps bird bath and planting some ground cover.

I also wanted to check how long does Kangaroo Paw Bush Gems Inferno, Bush Dance and Frosty Red Kangaroo Paw how long do they live. I noted some kangaroo paws last only two years so hence checking.

1.Kangaroo Paw Bush Gems Inferno

2. Bush Dance (anigozanthos hybrid Syn: Rambudan

3. Anigozabthos Frosty Red (Anigozanthos rufus)

Many Thanks

Partha 2021003 Front Lawn after Grav and KP planting.jpg 20211003 Front Lawm pic 2 after Grav and KP.jpg

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139526#Comment_139526

Hi @PN,

It's the taller varieties that are hybrid mixes with Anigozanthos flavidus and Anigozanthos pulcherrimus that can last up to 20years. The Anigozanthos flavidus x rufus hybrids are also long-lived. The shorter dwarf varieties usually flower prolifically for a few years before dying off.

Your Anigozabthos Frosty Red (Anigozanthos rufus) will live for many years, but the other two I would enjoy their flowers over the next few years.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141438#Comment_141438

Many thanks @MitchellMc . Learning all the time !

Thanks

Partha

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141438#Comment_141438

Hi @MitchellMc Mitchell

Latest photos of front lawn makeover after bird bath going in and also some small ground cover. The kangaroo paws have settled in. the Japanese Maple have copped a battering from winds but growing touch wood and the gravellias have had a slow start.

Next step is replacing turf by layers and replace with mulch.

thanks

Partha 20211014 Bird Bath plus Ground cover 2.jpg

BradN

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132597#Comment_132597

Hi @PN,

Nice work getting a bird bath! The insects will love it too. The native bees and around my place seem to use mine as much as the birds do. Many insects don't just drink water; they also need it to make mud for their nests.

Cheers,

Brad

sideshowmatt

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142881#Comment_142881

Hi @PN ,

Looking great so far. Just thought I'd give you a couple of tips from my experience with a similar type of garden at my old house.

I was in a different situation as we built the house so started with a blank canvas.

This was about 9 years in. I mostly kept to natives, but sometimes I'd just see something in the nursery that I had to have.

I would advise using weed mat under the mulch. It doesn't completely wipe out weeds, but even if you don't notice them for a few weeks, because they are just growing in the mulch above the weed mat it is easy to remove them by hand and get all the roots. Saves needing to use chemicals to get rid of them.

Before the mulch is also a good time to lay any irrigation lines you will be using. You will see in the photo, the mulch needs a top up every year or so. This was just before I did mine. Not only does it break down but in the direct sun it fades after a while.

We also had a water tank under the front yard that would sometimes ( whenever we got those huge summer storms ) overflow and wash the mulch into the yard next door. I got some bush rock and pebbles and made a creek bed to at least control most of the water. It only had water in it a couple of times a year, but it really looked great when dry as well. I am thinking of making one here.

A small drawback you may have to get used to is raking the mulch back into the garden off your driveway and footpath where some of the birds throw it while hunting for worms etc. But that's a small price to pay to have a unique front yard. And it's balanced out by not having to mow all that grass anymore.

Looking forward to see how it turns out.

Matt.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143881#Comment_143881

Hi sideshowmatt Matt wow this looks amazing. Thank you so much for sharing the tips. I am going to definitely get the weeding mats. The creek bed looks amazing. I am a total novice on this so your tips are so helpful and also the photos are so good to see what it can end up looking like. Thanks Matt.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136729#Comment_136729

Hi @BradN Brad thank you so much for sharing that. I had no idea that insects build mud nests with the water. That is great to know. Anything especially to help the bees. Cheers

Partha

BradN

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139538#Comment_139538

The smallest critters are the easiest ones to overlook!

You can also get these bee and insect houses in a range of sizes. The insects lay their eggs in the holes and seal them up with mud and stuff. I used to work at a garden centre where flying insects would nest in our display models!

pstq

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144660#Comment_144660

We've use weed mat under the mulch too. It's a good idea to kill off the weeks that do come through, because the bigger they get, the bigger the hole they make in the weed mat, which makes it easier for more weeds to grow there. I've heard of people putting two layers of it.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136729#Comment_136729

The front lawn makeover has hit a bump - big branch from pear tree has toppled overnight - collateral damage - gravelliea. The Japenese Maple was lucky to escape.

Planting has progressed, prickly moses, some more ground cover.

Waiting to see when the cavalry arrives to clear the tree cannot even get through on phone line disconnected for SES.

PXL_20211028_210946094.MP.jpg

BradN

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139550#Comment_139550

Yikes! What a pain. I'm glad nobody was hurt. That poor Grevillea, though...

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139550#Comment_139550

I'm sorry to hear that, @PN. That must be a disappointment, but the main thing is everyone is safe. The plants can be replaced.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141460#Comment_141460

Thanks @MitchellMc Mitchell. Indeed and very true. The broken branches has been cleared thanks to Airtasker. And now the rebuild starts. Collateral damage not too bad one Gravelliea. Hoping the peer tree which lost the big branch survives. Thanks Partha.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141460#Comment_141460

Thanks @MitchellMc . Post storm recovery, latest progress update, added some grasses, including some prickly moses and also some other ground cover grass.

Bird population is increasing - honey eaters regularly visit the Kangaroo paws to eat nectar I presume, they also peck on the grasses ,The sparrow population are regular visitors now. Trying to attract lorikeets and the like.

Plants pending planting include some more grasses and ground cover with flowers.

The Kangaroo paws and grassesBird bath and grasses

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