Sustainable living at home

• Fix leaking taps and toilets, even a slow drip adds up
• Install water-saving showerheads and aerators (some are free from your water provider)
• Take shorter showers, aim for four minutes
• Water your garden early morning or late evening

• Choose native or drought-tolerant plants
• Mulch your garden to reduce evaporation
• Use a rainwater tank for watering or flushing toilets

Rain gardens are a simple, beautiful way to capture stormwater from hard surfaces, reduce flooding, and support local biodiversity. If you’re interested in creating one at home, the following trusted resources provide clear, step‑by‑step guidance.

There are two types of Raingardens:

Planter box raingardens - above ground and capture runoff from roofs or rainwater tank overflow.

Image 1: Raised planter box raingarden illustrating waterflow and filtration. Source: Sustainable Design Fact Sheets

In-ground raingardens - lower than the surrounding area allowing water to flow down from a driveway, road or path.

Image 2: In-ground raingarden. Source: Sustainable Design Fact Sheets

Rain gardens help:

• Reduce stormwater pollution
• Slow water flow and minimise local flooding
• Provide habitat for insects and small wildlife
• Add beautiful landscaping to your home  

 We recommend these two excellent guides for learning how to plan, design and build a planter box raingarden correctly:

• Melbourne Water - Rain Garden Planter Box Fact Sheet 
  A practical overview of design considerations, soil layers, plant selection and construction.  
• Healthy Land & Water - How to Build a Raingarden 
  A beginner‑friendly guide with illustrations and easy‑to-follow steps.

For how to correctly implement an in-ground raingardens visit:

• Melbourne Water – In-Ground Rain Garden Fact Sheet 
  A practical overview of design considerations, soil layers, plant selection and construction.

• Switch off appliances at the wall to avoid the power drain or remaining on standby
• Use energy-efficient LED light bulbs
• Wash clothes in cold water and air-dry when possible
• Fill your dishwasher and washing machine before running a cycle

• Set your heating to 18–20°C and cooling to 24–26°C for comfort and savings
• Close doors and curtains to keep the temperature stable
• Use fans before switching on heating or cooling systems
• Borrow one of Ballarat Libraries Energy Saver Kits to check your homes thermal envelope and identify drafts

• Efficient appliances: Look for discounts on energy-saving fridges, hot water systems, and heaters
• Renters: Ask your landlord about simple upgrades, many rebates now include rental properties

• Start small with herbs like basil, parsley, or mint, perfect for windowsills or pots
• Balconies and courtyards can host tomatoes, lettuce, and chillies in containers or hanging baskets
• Vertical gardens make the most of small spaces

• Leafy greens (spinach, silverbeet, rocket)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Beans and peas
• Spring onions and radishes (fast-growing and great for kids) 

Healthy soil grows healthy food

• Add compost to enrich your soil, even a small worm farm helps.
• Mulch around plants to keep them in good condition and reduce weeds.
• Rotate crops seasonally to keep nutrients balanced.
• Soil toxicity and testing
  For concerns about toxic soil in Ballarat, the first step is to understand the potential contaminants and how to test your soil. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria offer the GardenSafe program, a free soil testing service (except for postage) that can provide insights into soil quality. For more in-depth testing and remediation, consider contacting a qualified environmental consultant.
• Soil enhancement
  To improve soil in Ballarat, consider incorporating organic matter like compost and worm castings, which improve soil structure, microbial activity, drainage and nutrient availability. Additionally, consider mixing in gypsum to help break up heavy clay soils. For compacted soils, aeration with a fork can improve airflow and root growth. Planting and mulching native vegetation will also enhance the soil health beneath. 

Want to know what to plant and when?

View the Ballarat and District Seed Planting Guide on the Ballarat Community Garden website.