Garden great: Ascot Vale's Anne Heyes has a garden that flourishes even during drought. Picture: Ari Hatzis
THE popular My Smart Garden workshop returns next Tuesday with the focus on showing Moonee Valley gardeners how they can make the most from small amounts of water during summer and beyond.
The workshop, dubbed Water Harvesting and Reuse for Gardeners, will teach water-conscious residents about garden design for hot and dry conditions and watering techniques they can use throughout summer.
Ascot Vale resident Anne Heyes, who has already gone to great lengths to ensure her garden is as water-efficient as possible, is pleased to see the council-co-ordinated My Smart Garden events continue.
"I've got quite a few rainwater tanks and a rain garden [a garden that filters stormwater].
"We changed our garden so it could tolerate the drought.
"We tend to water the food plants, fruit and vegies, but other than that the garden survives on rainwater."
On November 24, a seed swap will be held at the Moonee Valley Bowling Club.
It will give the chance to meet other gardeners, learn about seed saving and provide feedback on the My Smart Garden program.
Moonee Valley chief executive Neville Smith says that despite the rainy spell, hot and dry weather is expected to be just around the corner.
"Weather experts are predicting a return to dry conditions, so it's the right time to plan for the hot weather.
"But Moonee Valley gardeners need not despair. We can still grow our own food through smarter garden design and water use.
"Also, as the year comes to a close, we are looking to the more than 150 participants to tell us what they think of the program.
My Smart Garden is a joint, two-year project between Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley Councils.
Funding is from the state government's sustainability fund and the project is managed by Sustainability Victoria.