Veggie Gardening Basics

Growing your own veggies is a fun and rewarding pastime, regardless of your green-thumbed prowess or how much space you have. What’s more, homegrown produce is packed full of nutrition and eliminates costly food miles – a big tick for the environment.
 
The following hints will help get you started on your veggie growing adventures:

Soil testing
Firstly, investigate your soil’s strengths and limitations by carrying out:
  • Soil pH testing - Soil pH measures the relative acidity & alkalinity of a soil and has a direct impact on nutrient availability. A Manutec soil pH testing kit is an accurate and low-cost way of determining soil pH https://www.manutec.com.au/fertiliser-division/. Adjustments to soil pH can be made using products such as Dolomite lime and ammonium sulphate.
  • Soil drainage testing – On your proposed planting site, dig multiple holes 30cm wide and 30cm deep, ensuring the edges are straight. Fill the holes with water and leave to drain overnight. The following morning, re-fill the holes and measure the water level using a builder’s tape measure and straight edge over the hole. Continue to measure the water levels hourly until the holes are empty.
To work out the average drainage rate, divide the volume of water drained by the number of hours taken. The optimum rate is 50mm per hour but slightly more or less than this is acceptable. Improvements can be made by adding organic matter, raising bed heights, or installing sub-surface drainage.
  • Soil texture analysis using the jar method – Collect several samples of soil from a minimum 10cm depth, scraping away the mulch beforehand. Place samples on a sheet of paper, removing any organic matter and crushing any lumps. ¼ fill straight-sided jars with the samples, before ¾ filling them with water. Add a few drops of detergent, screw the lids on firmly and shake well. Observe the samples over 1 to 2 days as they settle into distinct layers of sand (bottom), silt (middle) and clay (top). 
To calculate the percentage of each layer and identify your soil type using the USDA soil textural triangle (readily available online), divide the depth of each layer by the total soil depth, multiplying by 100.
 
Soil cultivation and improvements
  • Carefully cultivate the topsoil without turning it to preserve its delicate structure and distinct layers. The subsoil can be aerated using a sturdy garden fork but avoid overworking it as you will compromise drainage.
  • Incorporate approximately 1/3 organic matter into the soil’s surface, such as homemade compost or processed cow manure. It is important that any additions are well aged to avoid burning sensitive plant roots.
 
Mulch
  • Using organic mulches such as Lucerne hay, straw, or ‘chop and drop’ green manure crops, are ideal for growing veggies as they improve soil fertility and structure and help maintain moisture levels.
  • Aim for a depth of 2cm during winter to still let in warmth from the sun, and 5-8cm during summer, to help keep the soil cool.
  • Avoid mulching against plant stems to prevent humidity related pest & disease problems.
 
Fertiliser
  • Using both fast and slow-release forms of fertiliser satisfies both the immediate and long-term nutritional needs of your veggies.
  • Fertiliser ‘teas’ such as those made from worm castings or compost are excellent, as they contain a diverse range of nutrients and valuable microbes.
  • Organic fertilisers are ideal as they promote soil biodiversity and healthy, resilient plants.
 
Water
  • A reliable supply of water is essential for veggies to prosper and produce a bumper harvest.
  • During the hotter months, water early in the morning or in the evening once it has cooled, to reduce evaporation and prevent burning plant foliage.
  • Water if the soil is dry more than 2cm below the surface. Don’t wait until your veggies are visibly wilting before watering.
 
Handy Tips
  • Try succession planting to save room – this is when you grow multiple crops together which are different heights and have varied growth rates.
  • Grow a variety of crops to ensure you always get a harvest.
  • Practice crop rotation of different plant families, to break pest and disease cycles and maintain optimum soil fertility.
  • Save your own seed to secure desired plant traits and save you money.
  • Pots should be filled with premium standard potting mix. Around 10% quality organic matter can be added when growing productive crops. Avoid using garden soils in pots as they become compacted and poorly drained.
  • No room to garden? Consider joining your local community garden or foraging for edible weeds (do your research first).
  • Think big and start small – gain experience and learn by your mistakes.