Nature strip garden

Karen Sutherland explores the etiquette of growing (and harvesting) food on a nature strip, with simple ideas for keeping neighbours happy.

More than a third of our public green space is nature strips but, by law, private citizens are required to maintain them. Surely we can do more than just mow them?

Don't let water use restrictions or a lack of rain put a damper on your garden dreams. Create a gorgeous, water-saving yard with these drought-tolerant landscaping ideas.

Whether you live in a dry climate or just want drought-tolerant plants you won't have to water too often, these low-water plants will save money and the planet. Even better: they'll pump up your home's curb appeal, too.

The hell strip, replanted. Wow! What a difference this made. I used stepping stones every 8 feet or so for people to walk on, also planted tough ground cover.

Virtually every street in Australia is home to a “bland” and “useless” feature that could be used for something that’s more impactful, environmentally beneficial and socially unifying.

So lovely. Clive Nichols photograph at Ulting Wick Garden in the heart of rural Essex UK. The tulips above are from his Instagram.

There are tomatoes on footpaths, perennials on median strips and native wildflowers around trees. But many of these nature strip gardens would not comply with the City of Port Phillip draft guidelines.