Words: Sarah Ansell

Proudly brought to you by Coast Lines magazine

As the days grow longer and the weather begins to warm, many of us are looking forward to getting out into the garden. This spring, consider where your plants are coming from - and make your local community nursery your first stop.

These nurseries are essential to supporting local biodiversity, offering a wide variety of local native plants for both revegetation efforts and public purchase.

Community nurseries are not-for-profit, volunteer-driven spaces that specialise in growing native plants from local provenance seed. That means the plants you buy are naturally suited to your area’s soils and climate - and will thrive in your garden while supporting local biodiversity.

Why choose a community nursery?

• • Locally adapted: Plants are grown from seed sourced nearby, so they’re hardy and habitat-friendly.
  • Every dollar makes a difference: Proceeds support environmental projects, not corporate profits.
  • More than plants: Nurseries are vibrant community spaces for learning, volunteering and connecting.
  • Expert advice: Passionate staff and volunteers can help you choose the right plants and share tips for success.

Whether you're creating a pollinator patch, planting a verge garden, or restoring a backyard bushland, community nurseries have the knowledge and the plants to get you started.

Not sure where your nearest nursery is? Reach out—we’d love to help you find your local!

Second Nature are a not-for-profit environmental organisation based in Strathalbyn who manage the Alexandrina and Mount Barker Community Nurseries. To learn more about what we do, visit www.secondnature.org.au