There are two aspects of sustainability. One is making sure that the planet on which we live can be sustained. And for that biodiversity and an ecosystem is important – which is why we need wildlife-friendly gardens to help the various local ecosystems.

The other is creating (or maintaining) a good country that we hope to pass on to our children and future generations. That is, that we live in an eco-friendly way that does not destroy or damage their future. And growing your own vegetables is sustainable and eco-friendly, as is having your own hens for eggs, and saving energy and water, or having a bee-hive for honey. The gardens featured in the sustainable competition often had hens and vegie gardens, saved water, and some had other animals, such as alpaca or sheep, that could provide wool.

Some sustainable ideas for a small garden include:

Have Quails instead of chooks for eggs. The birds are smaller, and although the eggs are smaller they are delicious - and much sought after. You can use quail eggs instead of hen eggs in most recipes. But they are small birds so they need a good shelter and enclosed pen to protect them from cats, dogs, foxes, and even hawks and other animals. Check with the experts.

You can also still have vegies in a small yard, or get a plot in the Yass Community Gardens. If you have a vegie garden at home and you would also like to have native birds, etc, remember that the soil needs for a vegie garden are very different from that of our native plants, so have a built up (ie. contained) vegie plot and you can then cater for both.

Some sustainable ideas for a large property:

If you are in the bush, think of having a bee hotel for the small Australian native bees. And is it possible to have rare breed pigs, or other animals. Why do I mention pigs? Jamie Oliver and others have kept happy pigs in good conditions for food. But pigs and hens are the animals most likely to be kept in crowded/bad conditions. Unfortunately, there are often rules stopping people having pigs in towns where you can have other animals. So if you are out of town see if you can have a few free range (rare breed) pigs. 

Sustainable ideas for any place:

Have your own hens. Bees are also in trouble around the world so producing your own honey helps everyone. The small stingless Australian Native bees also need help as they aren’t good at competing with the larger introduced bees bought in for their honey. So if you don’t want bees for honey put in a bee hotel for the native bees and this will help the propagation of our native plants. (Yes, it’s a confusing situation and will be discussed in another column). Think also of having either a cow, sheep or goat for milk, and/or cheese. And a couple of sheep or alpacas for wool. Furthermore, any of these animals can also be a great non-petrol based mowing system.

For more contact rvilliersbrown@gmail.com. Hope to hear from some of the Yass people who have those inspiring gardens.