Grow your garden sustainability: go eco & Australian-made!

If you love the outdoors like we do, garden sustainability is a great goal to go for.

What does that actually mean? Well, garden sustainability is all about helping your garden thrive while being smart with the planet’s resources – creating a space that blooms, lasts and doesn’t cost the earth.

Lucky for you, we make it easy! With some handy advice and our recycled Australian-made Jack Matrix range – products that are both stylish and sustainable – you can create a garden you’ll love and feel good about!

Before we dig into Matrix, let’s talk about the basic principles of garden sustainability. They’re simple to follow. You just need a bit of planning and thought.

• Pick products that last – Choose materials and finishes built to last. Tough, long-lasting options mean less money spent on replacements, less hard rubbish and more time enjoying your backyard.
• Shop your backyard – Aussie-made plants, materials, and products cut transport emissions (helping fight climate change), back local suppliers, and are built to handle our harsh sun, heat, and weather – making them a top-notch choice!
• Design water-smart layouts – Plan your garden to stretch every drop of that precious H₂O. Swales (shallow, gently sloping channels), clever edging and drought-happy plants make it go further. Plus, add some water butts or rain barrels to collect water when it pours!
• Plant for biodiversity – Mix native and pollinator-friendly plants to attract bees, birds, and beneficial insects. A healthy backyard is a buzzing backyard!
• Keep it low-energy – Go easy on the electric tools. Hand tools, smart layouts, and low-maintenance design save energy and effort.
• Waste less by composting more – Recycle garden waste and compost where possible to feed your dirt with natural organic matter for perfect soil health. Starting a compost pile in a shady spot is a great idea and keeps it nice and moist!

Jack Matrix products, which include edging, screens and wall art and come in over 40 different designs, can help you tick a lot of these garden sustainability boxes.

Made locally in Aus, they keep your carbon footprint low and are built to handle our sun, heat, coastal climates and changing weather. Plus, it’s easy to source what you need and get expert advice!

They’re also made from recycled materials. In fact, our Matrix hero charcoal range is made from 100% recycled materials sourced from kerbside and industrial waste. This includes yoghurt pots, plastic bottles, discarded packaging, billboards and coat hangers!

On top of this, they’re super easy to install – just push them into the soil and you’re done. That’s definitely energy efficient for you!

See also: Become your backyard’s architect with Matrix Garden

So now you know all about Australian-made Matrix, how can you use these products in your sustainable gardening plan? Here are our top project ideas:

Matrix Garden Edging – saving water while keeping things tidy

Matrix garden edging is great for keeping your garden looking tidy. But it can also be used to give your outdoors spaces a sustainable edge – wink!

By holding soil, mulch, plants, and lawns in place, Matrix Garden Edging reduces water runoff. It makes sure your watering and rainfall reach the spots that need it most – not puddling in silly places! And as it’s Aussie-made and suitable for local conditions, it will last for years.

Here are some areas you can adorn with trim to make them more sustainable:

• Vegie gardens – Keep every drop of water where your vegetables need it most. Strong edging stops runoff, holds soil and mulch in place, and ensures your edibles have their thirst quenched!
• Native plant beds – Protect your drought-tolerant natives by locking in moisture around roots. Clever edging reduces water loss and keeps your garden looking tidy while your plants thrive.
• Raised garden beds – Don’t let water spill onto paths or lawns. Edging keeps moisture in the bottom of the bed, soil in place, and your plants properly hydrated.
• Pathways and borders – Stop precious H₂O from running where it’s not needed. Defined edges make sure water reaches your garden beds, instead of drenching your driveway or lawn.
• Feature trees and shrubs – Keep water pooling around the base, not escaping elsewhere. Well-placed edging ensures the roots soak up every drop, and your showpiece plants stay happy and healthy.

Explore the range: Matrix Garden Edging

See also:
The outdoor lover’s guide to metal garden edging
Garden edging ideas to elevate your yard
How to add a barrier and edge to your garden bed

Matrix Décor and Privacy Screens – for clever, cool microclimates

Matrix Décor and Privacy Screens don’t just give your backyard or outdoor spaces a stylish new look. They’re a smart way to help your garden bloom while reaping sustainable benefits.

Keeping shade, airflow and microclimates in check, they help your plants stay out of harsh sun and wind, cut down water use, and make outdoor living less sticky – all without extra energy.

Healthier plants also mean fewer trips to Bunnings for replacements, and less money out of your pocket over time! Plus, your screen products also take fewer trips, as they’re made right here in Aus, keeping your carbon footprint down.

Here are some ways you can screen sustainably with Matrix:

• Shade smart – Give the sun a time-out! Pop screens next to patios, garden nooks or delicate plantings that get direct sun to carve out cool, shady spots where everyone (and everything) can chill.
• Breeze control – Direct those cheeky winds exactly where you want them. Guide airflow along paths, seating areas or courtyards to keep your backyard feeling fresh without energy-wasting fans.
• Microclimate magic – Create little pockets of paradise for sensitive plants, veggies, or pot collections. Screens help you tailor mini climates so everything grows happily together.
• Hide the not-so-pretty stuff – Banish bins, HVAC units or awkward corners from view without blocking airflow. Functional, tidy, and a little bit clever.

Explore the range: Matrix Décor and Privacy Screens

See also:
Transform your backyard with Matrix Décor Screens
How to build a super easy privacy screen

Who said walls have to be boring? Recycled Matrix Wall Art is a smart way to introduce colour, texture and patterns to your outdoor spaces while keeping your garden sustainable.

Because they’re Australian-made for our weather, these easy-to-clean panels last for years. They also require no digging or drilling, and avoid heavy hardscaping, so you’re saving time, effort (wins for hot days!) and resources.

Plus, going vertical adds style and interest without taking up precious garden beds –less digging, less water and smarter use of plants and materials. Your spaces look awesome, and the planet’s happy too!

Here are some great spots to pop that planet-friendly garden art:

• Poolside wow factor – Add colour and pattern behind your pool for a backdrop that makes a splash without taking up a single square metre of grass.
• Patio pizzazz – Dress up decks, alfresco zones or entertaining spaces with vertical interest that sparks conversation.
• Fence face-lift – Turn plain fences into feature walls bursting with texture, pattern and recycled style.
• Shed-side makeover – Give those overlooked corners some personality and make your backyard feel complete.
• Pathway pop – Add visual interest along walkways or between garden beds to guide the eye and lift the space.
• Balcony brilliance – Perfect for small yards or apartments – bring style and life to vertical space without stealing floor room.

Explore the range: Matrix Wall Art

By installing your Australian-made Matrix products properly and giving them a little TLC from time to time, they’ll last even longer (hello, sustainability!) and keep your garden looking as sharp as a brand-new pair of pruning shears!

When it comes to installation, a little planning goes a long way:

• Measure carefully
• Mark your lines
• Allow space for natural stretching and shrinking

Use the right fixings and posts for the wind and the type of soil or surface you’re working with to keep everything sturdy.

After that, all your Matrix products need are some simple seasonal checks – tighten, clean and make small repairs – to keep your edging, screens and wall art looking the goods for years to come!

Got more questions about garden sustainability and Aussie-made Matrix? Here are some quick FAQs to help you out!

Q: What’s the quickest win for a more sustainable garden?

A: Plant native, drought-tolerant species, add mulch, and pop in some eco-friendly Aussie-made Matrix edging or screens. You’ll lock in water, reduce maintenance and give wildlife a happy spot, all without breaking a sweat!

Q: What recycled materials are in Matrix products?

A: Our Matrix charcoal range isn’t just tough. It’s made from 100% recycled materials collected from everyday life and industrial waste. Think yoghurt pots, plastic bottles, old packaging, billboards, and even coat hangers!

By turning these discarded bits into durable garden edging, screens and wall art, Matrix gives them a second life while cutting waste and creating long-lasting, Aussie-made products.

Q: Do I need council approval for backyard screens?

A: Usually, small screens, décor panels or garden edging, like in the Matrix range, don’t need approval. But if you’re talking tall structures, permanent walls or anything near boundaries, it’s worth checking with your local council first.

Q: How do screens affect wind and shade microclimates?

A: Screens redirect breezes, create shady spots and shelter tender plantlings. Place them wisely to extend growing seasons, protect sensitive plants, and make outdoor entertaining cooler, comfier and way more enjoyable!

Q: What’s the best edging height for mulch retention?

A: Around 75–100mm usually does the trick for keeping mulch in place without looking bulky. Higher edges work for heavier soils or slopes; lower edges suit flat beds.

Q: How often should I check my Matrix products?

A: A seasonal once-over is enough for these hardy Australian-made products – they’re designed to stand out to our harsh sun, wind and rain. Tighten, clean, refresh mulch, and fix any wobbles. A little TLC keeps them looking sharp and working hard for years.

Q: Are Matrix products kid- and pet-friendly?

A: Yes! Smooth finishes, no sharp edges, and sturdy construction make them safe for curious hands and paws while keeping your garden looking gorgeous.

Feeling inspired to make your outdoor spaces more sustainable?

All you need to do is pick your Australian-made Jack Matrix products, then pop along to your local Jack supplier to grab them alongside your mulch and other items.

Got your sustainable gardening practices sorted? Why not share some snaps on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack? We’d love to see what you’ve done with Matrix and might even give you a shout-out!