There are the dry patches where lawn thinned out in February; the shrubs that struggled through heatwaves; the bare soil that baked hard through months of sun. And the quiet question many homeowners ask: what do we change before next year?
At Perth NRM’s new ReWild Demonstration Garden in Bentley, the answer begins with one simple idea. Start now, while the soil is still warm and winter rain is on its way.
“This isn’t a show garden,” says Perth NRM environment program coordinator Emma Malloch. “It’s a learning garden. It’s here to show people what works in our drying climate, especially if they want something lower care and more resilient.”
Autumn is the ideal time to begin because new plants have months to establish before the next run of extreme heat; soil can recover and roots can deepen.
Small changes made now can mean fewer losses and lower water use next summer. For many West Australians, that matters.
Watering days remain restricted; power bills have climbed after months of air conditioning; lawns demand mowing even when they look tired; replacing failed plants becomes harder each year.
The Bentley demonstration garden is designed as a walk-through model.
Built with support from Lotterywest, with mature trees funded by the Town of Victoria Park, it brings together shade, soil care and waterwise planting in a way visitors can see and copy before winter arrives.
Why April is the right time
Western Australia continues to experience hotter summers and declining long-term rainfall.
In Perth and Peel, households follow rostered watering days, with watering recommended before 9am or after 6pm.
Water Corporation’s Waterwise Plant Finder can help match plants to local conditions, but as Ms Malloch explains, rules alone do not create a resilient garden.
“If you plant now, you give roots time to establish before the heat returns,” she says.
“That reduces water demand later.”
Instead of replacing stressed plants in December, autumn planting builds strength ahead of time.
Start with shade
The first lesson from the Bentley garden is not about buying more plants, it is about creating shade and structure.
“People often think they need a complete redesign,” Ms Malloch says. “But if you create one cooler corner first, everything else gets easier.”
Layered planting makes the biggest difference; taller shrubs filter harsh sun; mid level plants create shelter; groundcovers protect soil.
Even one densely planted area can noticeably reduce heat.
Urban Bushland Council volunteer Colma Keating keeps it practical.
“You can bring nature into your space whether you have a large block, a balcony or something in between,” she says.
“Just think about what an animal might need, food, water and shelter, and provide it where you can.”
Shade reduces evaporation and cooler soil holds moisture for longer, which means fewer watering cycles next summer.
Repair the soil before winter rain
After a long dry season, soil often becomes compacted and exposed. Ms Keating says one overlooked autumn task is letting soil recover.
“Leaf litter helps cool soil, reduces evaporation and provides shelter for insects and small creatures,” she says.
“It is not mess, it is habitat.”
Mulch and groundcovers perform similar work. Covered soil stays cooler and holds moisture when winter rain arrives, reducing labour and water use later.
The Bentley site also shows how to slow and soak rainfall. Shallow planted basins allow water to sink into the soil rather than run off hard surfaces.
At home, this can be as simple as noticing where water naturally pools and planting accordingly.
Plan for an easier summer
For many mature gardeners, the attraction of waterwise design is practical. Reducing lawn means less mowing; dense planting shades out weeds; healthy soil reduces the need for constant fertilising and replacing struggling plants.
Ms Keating also recommends limiting broad spectrum insect sprays.
“If you remove the insects, you remove the food source for birds,” she says.
Turning off garden lighting overnight helps nocturnal wildlife and natural pollination.
Simple additions can help. A bird bath placed slightly off the ground can be safer from cats. A shallow dish at ground level can support lizards during extreme heat.
ReWild Perth program manager Steven McCabe says demand for practical advice has been strong.
Workshops at the Bentley site, including a recent nest box session with Dr Simon Cherriman, have filled quickly.
“People want gardens that are beautiful but also suited to our conditions,” he says.
Visit before you plant
The ReWild Perth Demonstration Garden is at Perth NRM’s offices, Suite 3, 11 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley, within Bentley Technology Park. Entry is free.
Perth NRM runs workshops and guided sessions on waterwise design, native plant selection and habitat creation, with autumn sessions focused on planting and soil preparation.
For visiting hours or upcoming workshops, visit rewildperth.com.au or contact Perth NRM on 08 9424 2222.
Seeing the layout in person helps many visitors rethink how they use space. You do not need a full renovation, but you need a starting point.
Do this now
Before winter sets in, walk into your garden in late afternoon and notice where the soil is bare and the sun is harsh – that is your repair zone.
Add mulch; plant a small cluster of locally suited natives close together and create shade before summer returns.
Autumn is the season for preparation.
The small changes you make in April can mean a cooler, easier summer next year.
