It doesn't have to be immaculately maintained
Even when my verge garden is looking a bit drab, or some weeds have come up, I remind myself that it still looks better, and functions better, than a barren grass verge.
I think verge gardens are more likely to be accepted if they look like someone cares about it, not fusses over it.
Just like with housework, there are tricks where one small thing can change what people notice.
An occasional straight edge can make the whole garden look neater.
Making sure that pedestrians have a clear walk through makes a big difference.
And being public land, you should never leave tools and other materials on the verge between your gardening sessions.
Think back to the previous steps where you think about your reactions to other people's gardens. Where is that "good enough" line?
And don't forget flowers.
Flowers are the ambassadors of your verge garden.
People like flowers. As well as providing for our pollinators, flowers will help your neighbours accept and appreciate your verge garden.
They also add interest and conversation starters with the changing seasons.
I tell people they are welcome to pick flowers as long as they leave some for the bees. And some do.
The most popular flowers have been strawflowers (also very long lasting) and pigface but I also really like the cheerful Viola banksii (native violets) that flower all year round on the shaded side of the verge.
Old fashioned exotics that people recognise can be valuable too provided they aren't invasive - but some can need frequent dead-heading.
This free article is part of the Understanding the Space section: bite-sized introductions to gardening in these small but wonderfully complex spaces.
Next: Don't invest too much money or emotion into the plants