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The old saying ‘nothing tastes as good as homegrown’ exists for a reason. You only have to bite into a vine-ripened tomato or inhale the aroma of freshly picked herbs to understand the appeal of growing your own.
Becoming your own market gardener comes with other benefits, as well, such as reducing your carbon footprint, saving money and spending more time outdoors. It’s a great activity for the kids, too. So, what are you waiting for? Dig in and get your garden growing!
The amount of sunlight your site gets is vital, says horticulturist Chloe Thomson of Bean There Dug That (@beantheredugthat). “Most vegies need six hours of direct sunlight per day,” she says. “Some herbs and leafy greens can grow with less light [four to six hours], but sun-loving crops like tomatoes and cucumbers are off the menu in shady conditions.”
While sunlight is important, the size of the space is less so. Horticulturist and Scotts Osmocote ambassador Melissa King says size doesn’t matter. “You don’t need a big garden to grow vegetables,” she says. “Make the most of space by planting a vertical herb garden or fill hanging baskets with cascading tomatoes and edible flowers.”
Crops in pots are great, too. “As a guide, vegies with shallow roots, such as lettuce, require a depth of 20-25 centimetres, while bigger crops like tomatoes, carrots and beets need a depth of 30-40 centimetres,” says Melissa.
The soil is a great place to begin, says gardening expert and Greener Spaces Better Places spokesperson Sabrina Hahn. “Good-quality soil is one of the most important aspects to growing healthy plants,” she says. “Improve your soil with plenty of compost, aged manure and slow-release organic fertiliser prior to planting.”
Tip: If there is no ground, or if the soil is difficult to work with or drains poorly, use raised garden beds or pots and fill with a top-quality mix.
Compost and organic matter can also be added to enrich the mix, if needed. When starting a new vegetable patch, you can either sow seeds or plant seedlings. It can be very rewarding watching your plants grow from seeds – and a pack of seeds offers great value. “There is something special about growing and nurturing plants from seeds,” says Melissa.
However, seedlings will provide a faster result. “Seedlings give you a head start, so they’re quicker to harvest and generally easier and less time-consuming to grow,” says Melissa.
Plants need regular care. To make watering easier, Chloe suggests setting up an irrigation system with a timer. “This automation is a blessing in summer, especially as daily watering – or sometimes twice daily – is required during the peak of the season,” she says. “If this isn’t possible, a retractable hose with a wand attachment is comfortable to use and packs away easily when you’re done.”
Tip: If you’re going away on holiday, here’s advice on how to keep you plants alive while you’re away.
When you’re watering or tending to your patch, look out for any warning signs of pests, advises Melissa. “It’s much easier to get on top of pests and disease problems if you catch them early,” she says.
Signs of attack include holes in leaves, sickly or stunted growth, and wilting stems and leaves. Take a closer look at the problem plants to identify the issue. “Often you can just remove the pest manually,” says Chloe. “But if you need to spray, look for a certified organic product that’s suitable for use on edible crops.”
Weeds can be a problem, too. “They compete with your plants for precious water and nutrients,” says Melissa. “Hand-pull small weeds and apply a good layer of organic mulch to help keep them down.”
The mulch will also help conserve soil moisture and keep the roots cool, too. “Vegie gardening does require some maintenance, but the rewards are worth it,” says Sabrina.
Most vegies and herbs can be easily grown in pots in small areas such as balconies and courtyards if they get enough sun. “As long as the space receives at least six hours of full sun, it’s perfect for growing,” says Chloe. “Small pots are great but tend to dry out fast, so opt for larger pots and group plants with similar watering requirements together.”
If you have sun-drenched windowsills indoors, these are ideal spots for growing herbs. Pick the sunniest spot and plant a mix such as basil, chives, thyme and oregano. If sunlight is lacking, Chloe recommends using a hydroponic kit. “These are great as they fit on your benchtop and you can grow crops out of season,” she says.
Don’t know where to start? Try these:
Herbs: Basil, spring onions, chives, mint and parsley.
Salad leaves: Lettuce, silverbeet, spinach and rocket.
Fruiting vegies: Chilli, tomato, eggplant and zucchini.
Potted fruit trees: Look for dwarf varieties of lemon, lime, nectarine, peach and apple.
Vines: Passionfruit, pumpkin, watermelon, kiwifruit and squash.
Check out our guide on how to grow natives in your garden.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Photo Credit: Getty Images, GAP Photos/Robert Mabic and Paloma Soto Photography
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
