Weeds, Weeds, Weeds! Spring is here - and so are the weeds.
Join Bass Coast Shire Council's Weed 'em and Reap program by weeding your patch and claiming some free indigenous plants for your efforts.
This year, the program runs from Monday, 21 October to Monday, 25 November.
Get along to your local Visitor Information Centre or Library to pick up a copy of the 'Common Weeds of Gippsland" brochure or download it from www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/weedem. Then all you need to do is:
- List the weeds you have removed from your garden on the application form;
- Return the form to Council by the due date;
- You will be sent a voucher telling you how many indigenous plants you will receive and the nursery to collect them from; and
- Plant your new gorgeous indigenous plants and know that you are doing your bit for the local environment and natural habitat.
Council spends both time and money controlling invasive species across Bass Coast and unfortunately many species escape from backyards and end up strangling the native plants in reserves.
Some residents are surprised to learn that these include some of their home-grown favorites like Agapanthus, Sweet Pittosporum, Mirror Bush and Watsonia.
Residents can make a positive and lasting change by swapping weeds for native plants that can flower all year round, provide food and habitat for native species and require less water and less maintenance.
You can become part of the solution, weeding one garden at a time. Weeds can be disposed of in your Organics Bin (green lid) weekly, or at your nearest Transfer Station. You can also take advantage of Council's fee free green waste period from 2 November to 29 November, to dispose of domestic sized loads of green waste, fee free.
