Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
How much sunlight your plants are able to get during the day will determine what you can plant. Picking a location that gets up to six hours of sunlight a day will mean you can plant almost anything. However, there are lots of plants that can still grow in partial sunlight or even partial shade.
It's important to make sure the spot you pick has good quality soil as this will help your vegetable garden retain nutrients and hold water for long enough to grow. To make it easier for yourself down the track, you should also try to pick a spot that has easy access to a source of water.
Now that you've picked a spot and you know how much sunlight your garden will get, you can determine what to plant. What you plant will also come down to which season it is and what it is exactly that you'd like to grow. Check out some more gardening suggestions for some ideas.
Depending on how big or small your vegetable garden will be, you may need to put some effort into how you design it. Start by drawing a rough plan including where your home is, existing structures and any paving. Also mark how much sunlight each part of the garden will get, as this might change where you plant certain vegetables.
There are many different ways to plant your vegetables. You can use garden beds, raised garden beds, wall planters, timber planters, vertical gardens or pots.
You'll need to start by preparing your soil and then planting your seeds or seedlings, making sure you water them regularly.
When you go to plant your seeds or seedlings, make sure you turn the soil over with a square-bladed spade. This will loosen the soil, help it aerate and give enough room for the roots to grow and spread.
A good tip when growing vegies is to rotate your crops by not planting the same vegetable in the same place each year. This will discourage pests and diseases that could appear from a certain vegetable. Read more about planting and caring for specific plants in our Gardening section where you'll also some hints and tips on what to plant in each season..
Once your vegetable garden is thriving, you should keep it well fed using fertilisers. Or, to save money and the environment, you can consider using your own compost instead.
It will also need watering all year round. You can do this yourself every day with a watering can, automate a garden irrigation system or install pop-up sprinklers.
To make sure your hard work is not in vain, you should also protect your vegetable garden from pests and remove weeds.
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.
