There’s something incredibly special about homegrown veggies.
Watch: How to grow vegetables from scraps
Maybe it’s knowing exactly how it was grown, the unbeatable freshness, or just the simple pleasure of growing food from scratch. The great news is that growing summer veggies is easy with reliable warm weather and extra daylight hours.
The best soil for a vegetable garden
Vegetables need a little more care than other plants – after all, you’re asking them to produce a food crop for you! The most important part of growing your veggies is getting the soil right.
When growing vegetables, you’ll want a crumbly, easy-to-dig soil with plenty of organic matter. For this reason, it’s best to give them a raised garden bed, so you can fill it with a good quality vegetable-growing mix.
How to prep soil or a vegetable garden
The nutrient-rich soil needs to hold moisture but still allow for good drainage. To get your garden soil into shape, improve it by adding plenty of organic matter, such as compost and aged manure.
The soil pH should also be around 6.5 – 7 for the best results. So test yours (you can buy a kit at your nursery), and apply a dressing of lime or dolomite if the soil is too acidic (below 6.5).
If the soil is too alkaline (above pH7.5 ), add sulphur. Traditionally sulphur comes as a powder, but liquid versions are available and work faster.
Other tips for growing vegetables
Sunlight: Vegetables need plenty of sun, so position your patch somewhere that gets at least half a day of direct sunlight and has protection from drying winds.
Watering: Food crops are thirsty, so be prepared to regularly water them over summer. The frequency will depend on your location, soil type, and the plants you’re growing. Still, usually, you’ll need to water every couple of days.
Feeding: Vegies are hungry plants, so enrich your soil before planting, as mentioned above, and then boost with regular fertilising. Add organic manure pellets at planting time and repeat a couple of months later for longer growing crops. Liquid fertilisers and seaweed tonics are ideal for supercharging plants and maximising your yields.
Pests and diseases: Unfortunately, veggies are susceptible to specific problems. Keep a close eye on your plants to identify anything early on.
You might also like:
How to start a vegetable garden
The best time of day to water vegetables
The ultimate guide to companion planting vegetables
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