How to Create Your Own Edible Garden
Creating an edible garden can provide a sense of joy and a great reward for both the young and the young at heart. This may consist of a simple garden bed or a raised vegetable garden and possibly an irrigation system installation. Let us give you the inspiration to get started!
Here’s Your Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own Edible Garden
Setting up your edible garden can be easy and is a great way to create fun for the entire family. All it takes is some space, sunshine and a little planning. Follow our simple guidelines and watch with pride as your favourite vegetables, fruits and herbs grow and thrive, ready to feed your family.
Step 1: Which Plants to Use?
Before getting started, think about what types of fruit and vegetables you’d like to plant in your edible garden. Consider the types of fruit and veg your family enjoys eating – there’s no point in growing something you don’t like eating.
Are you keen on growing a lemon tree? How about harvesting carrots or broccoli to encourage your kids to eat them more often? Your salads will taste fresh and healthy with parsley and lettuce from your own backyard, or whip up a tasty pesto with your own fresh basil.
Step 2: Choosing a Suitable Container for Your Edible Garden
Get creative with pots and containers. Wheelbarrows and old bathtubs are becoming a popular trend and add a unique touch to your backyard.
Building raised vegetable gardens makes a great weekend project for the kids. Painting it will also guarantee hours of fun for the little ones.
Step 3: Location in Your Garden
After deciding what you would like to grow, choose a suitable location. Make sure that the ground is flat with good sunlight exposure.
Easy access to water is essential. An irrigation system installation will ensure your thirsty crop of vegetables, particularly carrots and beans, have adequate water at all times.
Step 4: Using the Right Soil
Healthy, sustainable soil is crucial for a thriving edible garden. Here are our suggestions for maintaining the ideal soil type:
- Add compost regularly to keep it rich in organic matter
- Try to keep your soil at neutral pH to slightly acidic (ph6 to 7)
- Ensure there’s a consistent balance of moisture and nutrients
- Keep soil healthy and vibrant with living organisms like earthworms
- Use organic fertiliser
Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance
You can enjoy fresh produce whenever you want by keeping your edible garden sustainable all year round. This will take a little effort, yet at the same time prove to be extremely rewarding. Here are our recommendations to keep your garden in tip top condition:
- Crop rotation:
Even for small gardens, planting different produce every season or every year will help your soil retain its nutrients. It will also reduce the risk of plant diseases. - Compost:
It’s easy to make compost by mixing kitchen scraps with old garden leaves, then spread it around your plants for optimal garden growth. - Weeding:
Keep plants and soil healthy by regularly weeding your edible garden. Bending down for hours at a time can cause back problems. Consider building a raised vegetable garden to make it easier on your back.
With all these useful tips, there’s no need to wait. Start your fruit and vegetable garden today!
The Early Up team are your local Gardenologists. We love helping our clients create their ideal edible garden or backyard. Contact us for expert gardening landscaping designs. Our services are available in Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, Tweed Coast, and right throughout the beautiful North Coast region of New South Wales.
Love the thought of having an edible garden but don’t have the time to create it? Speak to us at Early Up – Call 0448 300 736. We’ll get it growing for you.