Patch from scratch

Grow your own fresh, delicious vegies at home, no experience needed!



Keen to grow your own fresh produce but not sure where to begin? 

Starting a vegie patch from scratch is simpler than it sounds and is incredibly rewarding. Whether you're working with a backyard, courtyard or balcony, the key is to begin with the right setup.

 

Position is everything

Most vegetables love full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If space is tight, look up – sunny walls, balcony rails or fences can be just as productive with the help of hanging pots, shelves or vertical planters. Even a sunny windowsill can host a handful of herbs.

 

In-ground, raised beds or pots?

Before you get planting, take a moment to consider what you’re working with: your space, your soil and how much effort you want to put in. If you have good-quality, crumbly soil that drains well, planting directly into the ground is a straightforward, cost-effective option. It allows roots to grow deep and gives your vegies room to thrive. But not all soil is garden-ready. Compacted clay or very sandy soil can be difficult to work with, drying out too quickly or staying too wet. In these cases, raised garden beds are a great solution. For small gardens, courtyards or balconies, ideal solutions are pots, troughs and grow bags.They’re portable, renter-friendly and easy to manage. Just be sure to choose containers that are deep enough for root crops and always check for good drainage. Self-watering systems like wicking beds are especially helpful if you're short on time or prone to forgetting to water.

Raised garden beds can be built to your desired height, making harvesting easier.

 

Pots and troughs are ideal for small spaces - there's nothing you can't grow!

 

Soil matters

No matter what you plant into, good soil is essential. It’s where your vegies draw their nutrients and moisture, and it makes all the difference between a thriving garden and one that struggles. In in-ground beds, start by loosening the soil and mixing through plenty of compost, aged manure or worm castings. These additions help feed your plants and improve the soil’s texture and water- holding capacity. In raised beds, fill them with a blend of quality soil, compost and organic matter, and you’ll be off to a strong start. And in pots, use a vegetable potting mix. Finally, mulch your soil. A layer of straw, sugarcane mulch or shredded leaves helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and keep soil temperatures stable.

TOP TIP 

Starting a vegie patch takes time, but with patience, you'll soon be enjoying fresh, delicious produce from your backyard!

 

Watering and feeding

Keep your vegie patch thriving with regular watering, especially during dry or windy weather. Young seedlings need consistent moisture, while established plants prefer a deep soak every few days rather than light daily watering. To keep growth steady, feed every two weeks with a liquid fertiliser that's suited to vegies – look for one that's high in nitrogen for leafy greens or potassium-rich for fruiting crops like tomatoes and capsicum.

 

What to plant now in your climate:

TROPICAL:

chilli, cucumber, snake beans, corn, pumpkin, eggplant, ginger, basil, mint and dill.

SUBTROPICAL:

tomato, capsicum, eggplant, zucchini, pumpkin, basil, chives, sage, parsley, and oregano.

TEMPERATE:

beetroot, beans, lettuce, carrots, silverbeet, spring onions, tomato and various herbs.

COOL:

carrot, leek, cucumber, capsicum, celery, lettuce, tomato, zucchini, onion, mint and thyme.

 

For you to know

You can grow herbs like basil and mint from cuttings. Take a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, and place it in a glass of water. Once roots form and reach 7-10cm, you can plant it into soil.

You can find raised beds in various shapes and sizes to suit your garden needs.

A terracotta strawberry planter is perfect for growing different types of herbs

This vertical garden maximises what you can grow while taking up minimal space.