Hi,
I am keen to start a vegetable patch in the garden. I live in rented accommodation (Perth, WA) so was hoping to buy a container of sorts for the soil and the planting. Has anyone done this before? If so, I would really appreciate some advice on container size, where to get one and any other tips!
Thanks :)
You probably want a raised garden bed similar to http://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/garden/landscaping/outd…
Ditto the polystyrene box comment. I know someone who did this with great success.
Advantages include:
Otherwise, you can always buy large "pots" about the same size from masters/bunnings.
Raised garden beds are also doable. If you've got DIY skills you can make the frame yourself, or you can buy them from bunnings/masters/wherever, or hire someone to do it for you (I've seen various websites offering to do this.)
Other tips:
3rd vote for polystyrene.
Also, recycling crates are good too.
My advice is to start small, with only a couple of boxes so you don't get overwhelmed with weeding etc.
Lettuce is a great crop. Plant new seeds every 3 weeks and you will have year round fresh salad.
Thanks for all the excellent tips guys.
I think the Bunnings Garden Bed could be a shout. It's 31cm in depth and then it would be hitting concrete. Would this be an issue and would I be limited in what veg I could grow?
Keen on carrots, parsnips etc. too!
Thanks
Carrots are so cheap I don't bother. Instead I tend to go with things that cost more, like parsnips (although I admit I haven't grown them). Strawberries are good and easy to grow, but watch out for snails.
Lettuce, beans, peas are all super easy.
Another cool thing is a chilli plant. They are perennials, so one plant will last several years.
30cm depth will not be a problem for veges.
Thank you!
I have currently got some tomatoes and some capsicum growing in polystyrene boxes like they deliver Light n Easy in. These are good and if you are lucky you can find these for free.
I also have herbs and a dwarf peach in half wine barrels. The half wine barrels are absolutely awesome - I love them. But they did cost money.
Just need to put some drainage holes in both of these (I also added castors to the base of the wine barrels so I can roll them around - they are seriously heavy when full).
They all seem to be doing ok.
I am in Perth too and have these out on the back patio. I also have some bay and rosemary in small pots but they have both gotten badly scorched - I think it is because the heat continues to radiate up from the pavers. The wine barrels and polystyrene seems to insulate a bit better from that.
I agree with using a premium potting mix - but I also add one of those coir bricks and mix that through to help the potting mix go further. I also add seasol when I'm expanding the brick.
I would say bigger containers are better for the plants but can be difficult for the owner.
Good luck.
Thank you!
I am limited with places I can place this garden bed. Do you think having it in a shaded area would be a bad idea?
For most plants yest. Most vegies require lots of sun.
While I agree with this our Perth sun can be pretty harsh so I would suggest good morning sun for most plants but find some afternoon shade helpful.
Side note - if you're not already composting/worm farming your kitchen scraps, I've just started on Bokashi composting. It's a bucket with a lid that you put your scraps in, and then sprinkle/spray on some Bokashi mix which has microbes which ferment the scraps. When full you bury the contents into dirt and it breaks down into great compost within 2 weeks. Side benefit - if you had been putting your scraps in your rubbish bin, it will get full less often/don't have to take out the rubbish as often. I'm planning to try emptying it in a polystryene box with some soil and see how it goes.
Also - Basil is a pretty easy one to start with. Buy some seedlings, plant out into a pot and in a few weeks, they'll have grown enough that you can cut some of the tops and make some awesome pesto. Rinse and repeat! (Just make sure to nip out any seed heads - tricks it into keep growing instead of going to seed)
I have a few polystyrene boxes and group them to keep them cooler / warmer and surround the unattractive white boxes w' a bit of shadecloth to keep from drying out too quickly or getting overheated or too cold in winter. To stop tomatoes getting sun burn, cover w' newspaper in the heat of the day. It's really not feasible to move them indoors as they are heavy and messy. Remember if you put them close to a wall in summer thry will get too much heat. But in winter it's good Best of luck
PS, in this heat, shade is fine for toms, they need heat not necessairly sun - that's an old European hang over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJmkxA_c52s
me and some friends have been using this style of bed for a while now. works awesomely. also small enough to be easily moved if you need to move house.
you can get these polystyrene boxes for free from any fruit & veg shops, those are suitable for making a veggie patch in.