Street Champion Chris.
Project: Verge Gardening
Suburb: West Croydon, South Australia
Chris is a Street Champion who has been beautifying the street as part of the City of Charles Sturt ‘Verges Alive’ project.
Chris dug up all the weeds, removed stones and added gypsum, sand and compost to improve the hard clay soil. She purchased native plants from the council and additional natives from nurseries, Trees for Life and State Flora. Chris watered during the warm months. This spring was the first season to fully appreciate the flowers. She says it has been a joy to watch the garden grow and bloom.
“I have gained a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in creating this garden.”
Chris, what’s your best piece of advice for anyone embarking on an ‘In Our Street’ project?
“Although I carried out this project as an individual, I was encouraged by locals as they passed by whilst I was working in the garden. Sometimes it gave me an opportunity to talk about the positives gained by doing such a garden. I hoped my example might encourage others.”
What has this project meant to you?
“I have transformed what was sometimes a depressing sight of weeds into something beautiful. I have learnt more about native plants that will survive these local conditions. The list of plants used has been passed onto the Council and may be of use to others attempting such a project. I have gained a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in creating this garden.”
