Perth Voice Interactive

FERTILISER might help your garden grow, but its overuse is killing the Swan River, says Gardening Australia presenter Josh Byrne. Each year around 250 tonnes of nitrogen and 26 tonnes of phosphorous leach into the Swan River, resulting in algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the water and can kill fish, he says.

The good news is there are alternatives which don’t require replacing the garden with fake grass or concrete, and Mr Byrne will share these secrets during a series of free workshops around Perth. Supported by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Water Corporation, the two-hour sessions will be held in South Perth (October 19), Bassendean (November 2), and Peppermint Grove (November 5).

Bookings can be made at: http://www.riverguardians.com