Frustrated with trying to grow good vegies so that you are ready to give up or are have already given up?
Have you been trying a kitchen garden at your service and having trouble growing and harvesting?
Many people think that by putting in a garden bed, using some potting soil and then plantings some seedlings and watering they will grow and harvest!
As our garden gurus will tell us there is much more to good soil than just buying what is recommended from your local landscape service. There is much more to a plant than the major hardware chains can tell you and much more to watering than just using a hose or irrigation system for ½ an hour every day.
Soil, Seed, Water:
The soil is the key. A good quality growing soil that is friable and provides the correct nutrients for the plant is essential. Soils can become water resistant and loose nutrient value especially if exposed to the harsh SA summer. Always put a blanket of mulch on your garden if you leave it unplanted. This will keep the soil active. Soils need to be refreshed with quality compost each planting season or you can try growing a green crop and digging into the soil to regenerate. It may also be worth doing a soil test to check the nutrient levels.
Then you need good quality seed. Whenever possible purchase locally produced seed or collect your own. When purchasing seeds from a commercial supplier research their sustainability credentials.
If you purchase seedlings, they must be quality plants that are produced ethically using quality growing soils. The life of the seedling before you plant it will determine its productivity. Plants that have been stressed when they are young will not be as productive as those that are nurtured and well cared for. Seedlings must be grown in good quality soil, watered regularly and then planted when they are ready. Inconsistent watering and being left too long in small pots will lead to problems as they grow and issues with fruiting.
Water is essential. To get a good harvest will mean shading during summer and regular, water especially in the hot dry SA summers.
Many people give up when gardens fail to thrive because they haven’t taken care of the basic needs of the plants. Different types of gardens also have different requirements. Plants grown in raised metal garden beds, wooden ones, pots or garden patches all have different needs.
Kitchen gardens that work require time and research. In SA we have lots of great garden gurus to help us.