Starting Out with Veggies Site selection preparation and

Starting Out with Veggies Site selection, preparation and Planning

�Fresh nutritious food �Save money �No packaging �Health exercise outdoors �Grow varieties not available in shops �Personal satisfaction �Garden biodiversity �No food miles �Help kids reconnect with food and nature Why Grow Your Own? Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 2

�Select your site �Work out the size of plot(s) �Prepare the soil �Strategies for a small garden �Decide on which veggies to grow and how much? �Write it all down �Start! Where do you start? Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 3

�The site should have: ◦ North or north easterly aspect ◦ Get 6 hours of sunlight per day ◦ Be well drained (good soil type) ◦ Be easily accessible ◦ No competition from tree roots (Large trees) �Don’t neglect your front yard �Consider unusual & unused areas – eg patios, roofs & window ledges �Land owned by others �Almost any problem can be fixed Where to put your veggie patch Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 4

�How much do you want to grow? �What do you want to grow? �Start small & work up eg 1 x 2 metres �A number of smaller plots easier to look after than one large one �Only wide enough so you can lean in for access How Big should it be? Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 5

�Think vertical �Succession plant �Don’t plant too much of one thing �Interplant where possible (not corn!) �Be prepared to experiment with unusual vegetables/varieties �Consider permanent perennial beds �Try medium/small fruited varieties and baby vegetables �Make a place for containers Strategies for a Small Garden Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 6

�Write down what veggies your family eats and roughly how much. �Get in seed catalogues from heritage seed suppliers (Eden; Phoenix or Greenpatch) �Ensure the veggies you decide on all grow at the same time of year �If you want to grow new veggies, try them on the family first �Get your seeds and start planting What to grow and How Much? Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 7

Good yield ◦ Broad beans ◦ Runner beans ◦ Dwarf beans ◦ Beetroot ◦ Broccoli (Sprouting) ◦ Carrot ◦ Lettuce ◦ Zucchini (squash) ◦ Onions ◦ Tomatoes ◦ Silver beet ◦ Snow peas Easy to Grow ◦ Broad beans ◦ Runner beans ◦ Dwarf beans ◦ Beetroot ◦ Carrot ◦ Silver beet ◦ Spinach ◦ Turnips ◦ Lettuce ◦ Radishes ◦ Onions ◦ Kale ◦ Snow Peas Veggies to think about Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 8

Roots ◦ Beetroot ◦ Kohl Rabi ◦ Turnips ◦ Carrot ◦ Parsnips ◦ Salsify ◦ Radish Leaves and Stems ◦ Cabbage ◦ Brussels sprouts ◦ Cauliflower ◦ Celery ◦ Spinach ◦ Silver beet ◦ Lettuce Veggies for Low Light/ Partial Shade Areas Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 9

�Options for preparing your soil– ◦ Double digging ◦ Rotary Hoe ◦ Sheet mulch ◦ Chooks/chook tractor ◦ If heavy clay add gypsum or dolomite �If your soil is contaminated, concrete crap – or ◦ Containers (self watering; veggie box) ◦ No dig beds ◦ Wicking beds Preparing the soil Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 10

�Planning exercise – ◦ Take A 3 paper with scale veggie bed and vegetable positions ◦ Review information in seed catalogues and books ◦ Mark the veggies to be grown in vacant slots ensuring they are – �Appropriate to the time of year �Have enough space �Taking account of growth habit Practical Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 11

For more details check our website Eating the Suburbs - Session 1 12