6 Things to Know Before You Grow Your Own Herbs, Fruit & Veggies
It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with clever preparation and patience
Imagine walking out of your kitchen door and picking huge leaves off kale plants so tall they look like mini palm trees. Zucchinis and tomatoes pile up on your benchtops, and freshly picked chives are just a matter of visiting the pot on your balcony. You have so much lettuce, you’re giving it away. Such is the life of a home gardener.
Many people want to grow their own food but don’t know where to start. Vegetable gardening is a learning process and, as with any art form, you’ll never truly master it. Yet with a few simple principles and a willingness to learn from your mistakes, you can grow food – whether it’s a pot of basil on your windowsill or a full-scale garden farm.
Trying to decide whether you should grow vegetables this year? Here are six things you should know first.
Trying to decide whether you should grow vegetables this year? Here are six things you should know first.
1. Anyone can grow food
If you don’t have a big, sunny back garden, take heart: you can still grow food. A balcony or even a windowsill will work. If your space is shady, most salad greens, and even blueberries, can grow well.
Prefer to outsource your gardening or need site-specific tips from the experts? Find a professional gardener near you on Houzz
If you don’t have a big, sunny back garden, take heart: you can still grow food. A balcony or even a windowsill will work. If your space is shady, most salad greens, and even blueberries, can grow well.
Prefer to outsource your gardening or need site-specific tips from the experts? Find a professional gardener near you on Houzz
2. Start small
Gardening is a skill that takes time to learn. If you’re new to growing food, start with just a few potted herbs or one raised bed. Embrace mistakes and don’t beat yourself up if you lose a crop to slugs. Gardening is a forgiving practice: you can always begin again.
Gardening is a skill that takes time to learn. If you’re new to growing food, start with just a few potted herbs or one raised bed. Embrace mistakes and don’t beat yourself up if you lose a crop to slugs. Gardening is a forgiving practice: you can always begin again.
3. Good soil is key
Don’t expect results from your garden’s existing soil. To grow vegetables, you need rich soil with lots of nutrients.
Before planting anything, get the best soil you can find, preferably organic. If you’re working with a full-size garden, find a soil supplier in your area and arrange a delivery. For container gardens, you’ll want a good-quality potting mix.
To keep your soil fertile year after year, you’ll need to add compost every spring.
Tip: Many homes in inner-city areas have dangerously high lead levels in soil, so check or replace your soil before eating anything grown in it.
Don’t expect results from your garden’s existing soil. To grow vegetables, you need rich soil with lots of nutrients.
Before planting anything, get the best soil you can find, preferably organic. If you’re working with a full-size garden, find a soil supplier in your area and arrange a delivery. For container gardens, you’ll want a good-quality potting mix.
To keep your soil fertile year after year, you’ll need to add compost every spring.
Tip: Many homes in inner-city areas have dangerously high lead levels in soil, so check or replace your soil before eating anything grown in it.
4. Gardening takes time
You can’t just plant seeds once at the beginning of the year and walk away. Gardens thrive with weekly planting, thinning, weeding, harvesting and pruning, and will need to be watered frequently in hot weather.
When planning your garden, take your schedule into account. A full garden may need up to 10 hours of work a week, while a small balcony can get by with only a couple of hours.
You can’t just plant seeds once at the beginning of the year and walk away. Gardens thrive with weekly planting, thinning, weeding, harvesting and pruning, and will need to be watered frequently in hot weather.
When planning your garden, take your schedule into account. A full garden may need up to 10 hours of work a week, while a small balcony can get by with only a couple of hours.
5. You still have to wash your vegetables
Even when your crops are pesticide-free, it’s important to wash them thoroughly to remove soil, bacteria and parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. A big salad spinner will be your best friend.
Even when your crops are pesticide-free, it’s important to wash them thoroughly to remove soil, bacteria and parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. A big salad spinner will be your best friend.
6. You can grow a lot of food
With just six 1 x 2-metre raised beds in a sunny garden, you can feed a family of four all the kale, tomatoes, carrots and greens you could possibly eat without having to go to the shops, plus enough extras to freeze for the winter. If your space is smaller, a collection of medium-sized planter boxes can keep you supplied with the salads you need.
The benefits of gardening are immense. Growing food is a fascinating hobby, an effective stress reliever and a surprisingly good workout – just watch your back when it comes to digging.
Growing a significant portion of the vegetables your household eats, or even all your vegetables, is more attainable than most people realise. By starting small, setting aside time each week for garden maintenance and not getting discouraged if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll be well on your way to garden success.
Browse more beautifully designed local gardens
With just six 1 x 2-metre raised beds in a sunny garden, you can feed a family of four all the kale, tomatoes, carrots and greens you could possibly eat without having to go to the shops, plus enough extras to freeze for the winter. If your space is smaller, a collection of medium-sized planter boxes can keep you supplied with the salads you need.
The benefits of gardening are immense. Growing food is a fascinating hobby, an effective stress reliever and a surprisingly good workout – just watch your back when it comes to digging.
Growing a significant portion of the vegetables your household eats, or even all your vegetables, is more attainable than most people realise. By starting small, setting aside time each week for garden maintenance and not getting discouraged if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll be well on your way to garden success.
Browse more beautifully designed local gardens
Your turn
Are you planning to grow your own this year? Share any tips or ideas you’ve picked up in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Need more green-thumbed inspiration? Check out 10 Ways to Design Your Garden for a Deeper Connection With Nature
Are you planning to grow your own this year? Share any tips or ideas you’ve picked up in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Need more green-thumbed inspiration? Check out 10 Ways to Design Your Garden for a Deeper Connection With Nature
Gardeners reap the benefits of a world of delicious and colourful produce that takes local and seasonal eating to a new level, including food such as fresh-picked peas, tomatoes, rocket, cucumbers and blueberries that taste better than anything you can buy in stores.