Homegrown: 10 Steps to Growing and Harvesting Spring Produce
You don't have to be an expert to grow delicious spring vegies; it's simply a matter of getting the basics right
Until quite recently, only serious gardeners with plenty of space grew their own produce. Most of us preferred to buy our fruit and vegies from the supermarket. Now we’re all thinking a little differently. Not only is the increasing cost of fresh produce encouraging many of us to start our own mini-orchards and vegetable patches, but we are also realising that homegrown tastes so much better (and is better for us).
Worried about how to start? It’s actually not as hard as you think. Just follow our easy guide and this spring you’ll be harvesting your own delicious crops.
Worried about how to start? It’s actually not as hard as you think. Just follow our easy guide and this spring you’ll be harvesting your own delicious crops.
STEP 2: Work out how big the beds should be
Their size obviously depends on the available space in your garden, but if you make beds no wider than a metre, you’ll easily reach the middle from either side. To keep a family of four in vegetables all year, you’ll probably need around 100 square metres of garden beds. However, that might be too much for beginner gardeners. Three to four small beds will be plenty of work to start with. You’re better to start small and have gardens that are well maintained and productive than try to manage several larger beds and give up because it’s all too hard.
Their size obviously depends on the available space in your garden, but if you make beds no wider than a metre, you’ll easily reach the middle from either side. To keep a family of four in vegetables all year, you’ll probably need around 100 square metres of garden beds. However, that might be too much for beginner gardeners. Three to four small beds will be plenty of work to start with. You’re better to start small and have gardens that are well maintained and productive than try to manage several larger beds and give up because it’s all too hard.
STEP 3: Position garden beds carefully
Level sites are obviously the ideal option for vegie gardens. Most experts recommend running beds and rows of vegetables along a north/south axis so each plant receives maximum sunlight. Others say it makes no difference which way you plant the rows of vegetables because the position of the sun varies in different regions. Experiment to see which method suits your garden.
Level sites are obviously the ideal option for vegie gardens. Most experts recommend running beds and rows of vegetables along a north/south axis so each plant receives maximum sunlight. Others say it makes no difference which way you plant the rows of vegetables because the position of the sun varies in different regions. Experiment to see which method suits your garden.
STEP 4: Retain sloping sites
If you have a sloping site, you’ll need to build retained gardens (across, not down the slope) to keep soil from eroding and make them easier to work. Railway sleepers, recycled brick and concrete blocks can be used for this purpose. Raised gardens can actually look very attractive if you build them well, adding structure and form to the garden.
If you have a sloping site, you’ll need to build retained gardens (across, not down the slope) to keep soil from eroding and make them easier to work. Railway sleepers, recycled brick and concrete blocks can be used for this purpose. Raised gardens can actually look very attractive if you build them well, adding structure and form to the garden.
STEP 5: Choose a warm spot for sun-loving crops
If you’re keen to grow heat-loving summer vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, eggplant and capsicum, then garden beds should receive at least 4-5 hours of sun per day during spring and summer.
If you’re keen to grow heat-loving summer vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, eggplant and capsicum, then garden beds should receive at least 4-5 hours of sun per day during spring and summer.
STEP 6: Grow leafy crops in part shade
Spinach, lettuce, Asian greens and parsley all need some shade during the heat of summer or they turn to seed very quickly. Mint does better out of the hot sun, as does coriander. In northern regions, part shade might be necessary for most of the year, while down south these crops may need more sun during winter when the shadows are longer.
Spinach, lettuce, Asian greens and parsley all need some shade during the heat of summer or they turn to seed very quickly. Mint does better out of the hot sun, as does coriander. In northern regions, part shade might be necessary for most of the year, while down south these crops may need more sun during winter when the shadows are longer.
STEP 7: Avoid competition from existing vegetation
Try not to place vegetable garden beds too close to large trees and shrubs, as they will compete with your plants for moisture, nutrients and light. If a neighbour’s tree is shading your garden, you can trim overhanging branches back, but its roots may still spread into your property and steal valuable nutrients from the soil. In this case, you may need to find another position for your vegetable patch.
Try not to place vegetable garden beds too close to large trees and shrubs, as they will compete with your plants for moisture, nutrients and light. If a neighbour’s tree is shading your garden, you can trim overhanging branches back, but its roots may still spread into your property and steal valuable nutrients from the soil. In this case, you may need to find another position for your vegetable patch.
STEP 8: Create shelter from the wind
You need to know the direction of the prevailing winds to help work out which parts of the garden are exposed or sheltered. Vegetables need more protection than larger plants, as strong winds can easily damage their leaves and loosen roots. If your garden is exposed to strong winds, you’ll need to provide some form of windbreak such as hedges or lightweight fencing. Remember, both hot and cold winds can be a problem, the former stunting growth rates, the latter increasing moisture evaporation from both soil and plants.
You need to know the direction of the prevailing winds to help work out which parts of the garden are exposed or sheltered. Vegetables need more protection than larger plants, as strong winds can easily damage their leaves and loosen roots. If your garden is exposed to strong winds, you’ll need to provide some form of windbreak such as hedges or lightweight fencing. Remember, both hot and cold winds can be a problem, the former stunting growth rates, the latter increasing moisture evaporation from both soil and plants.
STEP 9: Get the soil right
Good soil is the most essential ingredient for a productive garden. Before planting anything, check out the condition of the soil in your garden. It may be depleted and need compost and manure to boost its fertility. It may have a lot of clay that needs breaking up, or too much sand so that it leaches out nutrients too quickly. These problems should be amended before planting rather than afterwards.
Good soil is the most essential ingredient for a productive garden. Before planting anything, check out the condition of the soil in your garden. It may be depleted and need compost and manure to boost its fertility. It may have a lot of clay that needs breaking up, or too much sand so that it leaches out nutrients too quickly. These problems should be amended before planting rather than afterwards.
STEP 10: Ensure there’s easy access to water
Having a good water supply close by is very important for vegetable gardens, especially in drought-prone areas. Harvest grey water and rain water off roofs where possible.
TELL US
Are you dreaming of your own vegetable patch? What are you planning to grow and how big will your patch be? Tell us in the comments section below.
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Having a good water supply close by is very important for vegetable gardens, especially in drought-prone areas. Harvest grey water and rain water off roofs where possible.
TELL US
Are you dreaming of your own vegetable patch? What are you planning to grow and how big will your patch be? Tell us in the comments section below.
MORE
Let Houzz Lead You Up the Garden Path
Stickybeak of the Week: Vertical Gardens With a Difference
Shed Spruce Up: Inspiring Ideas for Garden Sheds
How to Choose the Best Plants for a Small Garden
Before you start, think about what vegies you and your family enjoy eating most. There’s no point in growing rows of carrots if you’re the only one in the family who likes them.
Consider the size of your vegetable patch, the type of crop best suited to your local climate and the amount of time you can put into looking after the garden. Sometimes you can push the boundaries and grow things that would not normally grow in your area, but for beginners, it’s easier not to compete with the climate.
Many gardeners grow only vegetables and herbs that are at their most delicious when eaten fresh from the garden such as sweetcorn, peas, salad greens, spinach, basil and coriander.