Preparing your verge for landscaping

Once you have approval for landscaping your verge - The first step in preparing for planting will be to remove all the weeds from the verge.

If your verge hasn’t been planted for a long time, it may be very compacted which makes it hard for plants to develop a root system. While you are pulling up those weeds, break up the first 20cm layer of soil to allow water, nutrients and plant roots to penetrate.

Improving your soil before planting is essential and will help plants to establish. Well established plants grow to be stronger specimens over time, saving you money and effort in the long term by not having to replace them. The following are recommended soil improvers and planting materials:

• Bags of compost or soil conditioner
• Wetting agent – liquid or granular
• Slow release fertiliser like blood and bone or Osmocote for native plants
• A pile of mulch – you can use organic mulch like shredded tree prunings or wood chips, or hard mulch like fine gravel. This is applied to the soil surface after planting.

The best time to plant is from late April to October as the weather is cooler and winter rain will help plants establish. For successful planting, follow these simple steps:

1. Dig the hole twice the width and depth of the pot
2. Mix 50% soil improver into the existing soil (A blend of compost and manure)
3. Throw in a small handful of fertiliser
4. Add wetting agent and fill the hole up with water, allow to drain
5. Backfill the bottom of the hole with the improved soil mix
6. Place your plant in the hole ensuring that the soil level of the pot is in line with the existing soil level.
7. Infill the hole with the remaining improved soil mix.
8. Put a 5 - 10cm layer of mulch on top, ensuring it is not touching the stem.
9. Reapply wetting agent and water in thoroughly

If there are no trees on your verge, ask the City of Armadale to plant one for you. Trees provide shade and cool down the verge making it better for other plants to grow.

Choose a mulch with irregularly shaped particle sizes as it will allow water and nutrients to travel through it effectively. Some fine mulches may become compacted and water repellent. Mulch should be applied 5 – 10cm thick. Keep mulch several centimetres away from the trunk of all plants, to avoid fungal diseases. Organic mulch (wood chips) may need to be reapplied once a year in late spring, as it will eventually break down into the soil.

• Request a Street Tree - Applications close 30th November each year
• Annual Free Native Plants for residents
• Mulch - from the Armadale Landfill & Recycling Facility - 145 Hopkinson Road, Hilbert
  • Free if you load yourself ( Self Loaded Trailer 3m3) 
  • Mulch - City of Armadale Residents Only (2 forms of ID required)
  • Mulch - Self loaded trailer to 3m3 (between 9am and 4pm) No charge
  • Mulch - Machine loaded trailer (Tuesday mornings between 9am and noon) - City of Armadale
  • pensioners only - pension card and photo ID required No charge
  • Loaded by machine (between 9am and 4pm) - per tonne Minimum charge