Veggie gardening has been increasing in popularity in recent years. It doesn’t matter if you live in the country or in the city, if you have a large yard or only the space for for a few pots. Vegetable gardens can be grown by anyone, and there’s nothing quite like picking your own food! You may also have the benefit of saving money on your regular grocery shop.. You’ll be surprised at how much better the taste and texture of homegrown vegetables is compared to store-bought options. Taking care of your garden is also a kind of exercise! Learn how to start a successful vegetable garden with these helpful hints and ideas with our beginner’s guide.

Choose a location for your veggie garden 

You should start small as a novice gardener. As with any new activity, it’s a good idea to brush up on some gardening basics first. How much time does it take to maintain your garden? You’ll discover if you enjoy spending time in the garden planting, watering, and weeding. In addition, you’ll discover how much food you and your family may consume in the course of a single harvest. Starting out by growing a couple different herbs or vegetables in pots is a good option. The only requirement is a sunny deck or balcony and convenient water access!

Grow what you love to eat 

What kind of food do you like to eat? Depending on your answer, you will know what vegetables to grow in your garden. There are also a few other things to keep in mind to help you decide.

Pay close attention to what the label, tag, or packet says about the seeds or seedlings you want to plant. Each kind of vegetable has its own set of requirements. Some plants  are small enough to grow happily in pots forever whilst others require planting straight into the ground. Some plants varieties are more resistant to disease, or give better yields, or will only grow in certain seasons. Check out our previous blog for our Winter Planting Guide here for ideas of what to grow in the cooler months.

Take into account how much food you and your family will consume. Consider whether or not you plan to save any  in the freezer, or could otherwise give any excess away. Consider how many seeds or plants you will need to plant, and then plan accordingly. Planting too much is a common mistake among novice gardeners. It’s possible you won’t need as many plants as you thought!

Prepare the soil for your veggie garden

When growing vegetables, you need to use the best soil available. You can tell when the soil is rich and healthy by the ease with which it can be dug up and the ease with which it can drain water. Put a spade’s worth of material in your hands and hold it there. Is it rough and ready? It could be too sandy. Is it  powdery? There could be too much silt. What happens if you get some water on it? Does the soil turn to clay?. Your garden soil’s texture is determined by the combination of these three types and in what proportions. Drainage and the availability of nutrients are influenced by the soil’s texture.

This is where we come in.. Our Jeffries Veggie & Garden Soil is perfect for…you guessed it … veggie and garden beds. Particularly good for raised beds, this soil mix resists compaction and is high in organic matter. 

Our products are locally made in South Australia from a mix of recycled organic materials like shredded bark, tree trimmings, and lawn clippings. This beautiful, rich soil is made up of Blood & Bone and Jeffries Organic Compost that has gone through a controlled process of natural aerobic composting. Then, the right amount of washed, coarse sand is added to keep the structure open.

Plant your veggie garden

This is the easy part! Set some time during the day or perhaps during the weekend and plant away! Make sure to read the instructions on how far apart plants need to be from each otherand how deep to dig them in.

Caring for your veggie garden 

Watering

The ideal times to water most plants is in the morning and at night. To avoid powdery mildew and sooty mold problems, it’s best to water them in the afternoon so that the leaves have a chance to dry out before nightfall. Research whether these can affect the plants you are growing so you don’t get caught out!

Fertilising

Adding compost to soil is one of the simplest and most regularly utilised methods of enhancing the health of both plants and soil. Do this every 6 months to a year and don’t apply too close to  existing plants as it can burn their roots. Compost can get well over 50 degrees Celsius so be prepared!

On a monthly basis, add in Jeffries CulChar to give your plants the nutrients and carbon they need to grow. You only need apply a handful every per m2 then you simply water it in for the best veggies. Learn more about Jeffries CulChar Organic Fertiliser here. 

Weeding

Preventing weed seeding maturity (which will result in a lot more weeds!) can be achieved through weekly weeding. It’s easier to remove weeds after a rain or irrigation because they’ll be easier to remove from the ground. Pull the weed out of the ground by gently but firmly pinching it at the base of the plant. We also recommend using a mulch to suppress weed growth. Even a thin layer of mulch can get those pesky weeds under control. Shop our range of mulches here. 

Organic Pest Control

Pests have a tougher time establishing themselves in a well-kept garden. It is a good idea to keep away weeds, dead plants and garbage.

The use of natural pesticides and beneficial insects for pest control can encourage beneficial insects and animals that prey on pests to live in your garden. These include such heroes as ladybugs, wasps, and lizards. Planting highly fragranced herbs like mint, parsley and rosemary near your veggies is also a great way to keep pests away.

And there you have it! Now you’re all set to start the veggie garden of your dreams! For newbie home gardeners who need high-quality compost, soil, and mulch, Jeffries is the company to go to. As a community, we are ensuring the long-term viability of healthy soil. Together, we are securing the future of healthy soil for generations to come. Get in touch with us today to learn more HERE.