Growing your own food is one of the most rewarding and healthy things you can do.
Whether you have a big backyard or a pint-sized patio, you can grow some of your own food. From in-ground veggie patches to mobile raised planters that can be positioned almost anywhere, there’s a growing solution for every space. And many are quick and easy to install, so you’ll be enjoying home grown in no time at all. Starting a patch from scratch may feel daunting, but there are easy and manageable ways to get growing. The style of veggie patch or system that you choose will be influenced by the type and size of space you have, and whether it’s permanent or needs to be portable.
In-ground patches can be cheap and cheerful and be as simple as removing lawn (or plants) from an area, and planting vegies and herbs into the bare soil. It can be beneficial to bring in additional bagged garden mix to raise the level of the patch 10-15cm above the surrounding soil, which helps improve drainage. A border around the patch can be created using old bricks, or, dig an edge between the lawn and the patch using a sharp spade.
Raised beds positioned directly on the ground are the next option for creating a vegie patch. There are several raised bed choices, including beds made from timber or concrete sleepers, or sections of steel sheeting. Raised beds can be very decorative. They come in a range of different materials, textures and designer colours and can be a garden feature themselves. Handy kits are available that provide pre-cut pieces and joints for assembly, so beds can be put together quickly and without the need for complex tools. Some beds require no tools at all!
Raised beds are best filled with bagged (or bulk) garden soil, purchased from your local garden centre or landscape supplier.
Mobile patch options are handy when you need the flexibility to move your garden from one spot (or house) to another. They’re also ideal for patio, courtyard or balcony gardeners, who don’t have a back or front yard for an in- or on-ground patch. You can find many options at your local garden centre. Vegepods are a popular example. They are based on a clever system where plants grow in an elevated bed with an in-built water reservoir. This self-watering or wicking mechanism helps to water the plants over several weeks. An added benefit of Vegepods are their protective covers. They help to protect plants from harsh weather as well as create a barrier against insect pests.
We hope you have enjoyed this article so far.
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