There’s nothing quite like harvesting fresh produce straight from your own garden. Not only do homegrown fruits and vegetables taste better, but growing your own gives you control over quality and freshness.
In recent years, veggie gardens have become increasingly popular with more people turning their backyards, courtyards, and even balconies into productive veggie patches.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or are just starting out, knowing how to create a thriving veggie garden could be the start of a very satisfying gardening journey.
How do I start a veggie garden?
There are many different ways to set up a veggie garden depending on the space you have to work with. Here are a few options:
Vegepods – These compact growing systems come with a cover and built-in watering which makes them ideal for townhouse or apartment gardens, or any small space. We stock a complete range of Vegepods, from single cell to double and 4-cell pods.
Wine barrel – Half or full wine barrels are great for helping you create rich, deep soil with good drainage while adding a rustic touch to your garden.
Raised garden beds or planters – Create your own raised beds using our sleepers and edge them neatly with FormBoss for a tidy finish.
What do I plant in my veggie garden?
You can plant just about anything you like! That said, some fruits and vegetables grow better than others depending on the season, and certain varieties are best planted at specific times of the year.
Download this helpful Canberra veggie planting guide to show you what to plant and when, to get the best results from your veggie garden:
The Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS) also have an online planting guide.
How do I set up a veggie garden?
Once you’ve chosen the type of veggie garden you want (pods, sleepers, raised beds, or planters), follow these steps to set it up:
- Choose a sunny spot. If the sun is intense, you can always add shade cloths later.
- Fill with compost soil (400 to 600mm deep for garden beds and planters).
- Add a layer of veggie mix soil on top, about 100mm thick.
- Close to planting time, mix in fertiliser to prepare the soil.
- Plant your fruits and veggies according to the seasonal planting guide.
- Mulch the surface with sugar cane or pea straw mulch.
- Water daily.
You will need to maintain the veggie garden as it grows – keeping the soil moist, bugs at bay, and weeds from taking over.
How do I care for my veggie garden?
Proper maintenance starts with giving your vegetables the nutrients they need. Here are a few simple products to help:
- Veggie mix – Our specially blended veggie mix soil is rich in organic compost and mushroom, known for its high nutrient content and ability to break down quickly.
- Mulches – Sugar cane and pea straw mulches are ideal for retaining moisture and suppressing weeds.
- Soils – Add fresh soil in early autumn and spring to prepare garden beds for planting.
- Nutrient revamp – Bagged cow, chicken, and sheep manure used alongside veggie mix and mulch creates the perfect nutrient trio to keep your veggie garden productive.
We recommend starting before the planting season. This gives the soil time to build nutrients and moisture. Keep watering consistently too, because if the soil dries out your plants will struggle.
Find all your veggie garden needs at Canberra Sand and Gravel
Canberra Sand and Gravel has everything you need to build and maintain a veggie garden that keeps on giving. Order online or visit one of our landscape centres.
