Wildflower nature strip blooms in Torquay

TORQUAY locals James and Christina McKey have transformed the nature strip of their family home in Fischer Street into a delightfully unmanicured tangle of wildflowers and edible plants.

They’re among the growing number of residents leading the charge to transform these overlooked spaces into vibrant gardens that attract bees, promote biodiversity and bring a little more joy to passers-by, as councils across the state continue to update their planting regulations.

 

 

A natural green thumb and experienced vegetable garden landscaper, James said he was inspired by the “blank canvas” left behind, after last year’s road safety works wrapped up along Fischer Street.

“Every spring, I get spring fever and I collect seeds, and I just have this primal urge to put seeds in the ground,” he said.

“I think everyone knows that they’re called a nature strip and not a lot of nature strips have nature in them.”

 

 

The outcome is a garden that has quickly drawn the attention and admiration of the surrounding community.

Cabbage, rainbow chard, Tuscan kale and various herbs are scattered along the nature strip, thriving between sweet alyssum, marigolds and Californian poppies.

Towards the centre, standing slightly taller than the rest, is a small patch of sunflowers, a must-have in any respectable Torquay garden.

James is now eager to see others make similar changes to their own nature strips, not only for its aesthetic benefits, but for the positives it can bring to both the environment and local communities.

 

 

Christina said those walking by the garden were encouraged to help themselves to the produce that has been planted in the Fischer Street garden.

“As long as we get left with at least one cabbage so we can make sauerkraut, that would be great,” she said, laughing.

“For the rest, we’re happy for it to be free for all and help people that want food.”

Under the Surf Coast Shire’s residential nature strip guidelines, which came into effect in July 2023, the planting of low-level plants, shrubs below 0.5m in height and edible plants can all be grown on nature strips outside of high bushfire risk areas, without a permit.

 

 

However, it notes grass is still the “preferred finish” for nature strips in the shire, while those who do live in high bushfire risk areas will require a permit before making any changes.

The guidelines are much the same as those adopted by the City of Greater Geelong late last year, including restrictions on thorny plants or invasive species, and using pesticides in nature strips growing edible plants.

For those interested in rewilding their own nature strip, James recommends maintaining the shape of the existing landscape to avoid creating unintentional trip hazards, understanding the council regulations in place to ensure what you’re planting is suitable for the area and putting seeds in the ground in spring or during periods of consistent rain.