QA Forum

Useful resources for Gardening, Growing and Green Thumbs

• Australian native plants
• Gardening clubs & associations
• Environmentally friendly gardening
• Government contacts
• State & territory contacts
• Other useful links
  

Australian native plants

• Seven regional societies (one in every state and one in the ACT) culminate to form The Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP) whose main aim is to cater for people who are interested in Australia's native flora. The website includes a guide to Australian plants, an online magazine and a guide to plant propagation.
• The Australian Botany Pages, which falls under the Department of Environment and Heritage, includes an Australian native plant names search facility, tips on how to grow native plants and links and information about botanic gardens in Australia.

Gardening clubs & associations

• The Garden Clubs of Australia lists affiliated gardening clubs in you local area. It is a great way to search for contact details of other gardening enthusiasts. The website also contains seasonal gardening tips.
• Australian City Farmers and Community Gardens Network includes a variety of information about how to set up a community garden. Community gardens are a great way to garden when you may not have the space or resources available. The website also includes an events calendar and the ‘Community Harvest’ newsletter.

Environmentally friendly gardening

• The Save Water Plant Selector allows you to search for the best water saving plants to use in your area.
• The Green Directory is an online eco directory, that lists a comprehensive range of Australian and international products and services which are eco friendly and promote sustainable living.

Government contacts

• The Department of Fisheries, Agriculture and Forestry (DAFF) website includes information on such things as drought assistance, Landcare and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
• The Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) includes information on such things as biodiversity, coasts and oceans and Australia’s inland waters.
• The Environment Portal provides access to online services and information provided by Australian, State and Local Governments. Information is organised by eight broad environmental themes - atmosphere, biodiversity, coasts and oceans, natural and cultural heritage, human settlements, inland waters, land, Antarctica and other external territories.

State and territory contacts

If you require information about farming or horticulture each state or territory has a Government department that deals with issues in relation to these industries.

• Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QLD)
• Department of Primary Industries
• Environment ACT
• Department of Primary Industries (VIC)
• Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment (TAS)
• Environment and Natural Resources (SA)
• Department of Environment and Conservation (WA)
• Land and Environment (NT)

Other useful links

• Gardening Australia is the long running gardening television program on the ABC. The Gardening Australia website is an excellent starting point as the site includes plant profiles and fact sheets on such topics as ‘Palms in Pots’, ‘Pond Cleaning’ and ‘Clay Soil Tests’.
• The Flora for Fauna website is a great resource to find out how you can attract birds, butterflies, frogs and other fauna by learning what to plant and how to design your garden.
• Australia’s Open Garden Scheme is a non-profit organisation that coordinates the opening of private gardens to the public. The scheme claims that ‘more than 250, 000 people visit 650 private gardens each year’. A great way to find some inspiration for your own gardens!