Growing a veggie garden for beginners
Sowing a couple of seeds in an empty space in your flower bed is as good a beginning as any.
There is something truly special about fresh greens from the Earth – its incredible flavour loaded with nutrients and the unbeatable sense of pride from harvesting the fruits of your labour.
For your first growing quest, it is recommended that you start small. Think about whether you would like to use containers, plant straight into the ground or if you would like to make raised beds.
Consider your space and available time to guide your growing style. Sowing a couple of seeds in an empty space in your flower bed is as good a beginning as any.
Be careful not to overpopulate your space. Your veggies will increase in size and need room to grow and climb. Planting too close together will cause veggies to shade one another. Refer to your seed packet for advice.
With the idea of starting small in mind, where you choose to grow is an equally important factor to consider.
Vegetables love the sun and will flourish in open areas that receive as much sunlight as possible with no big trees throwing shade.
Examine your space through eco-eyes; take note of the sun’s movement, surrounding foliage and expansion space needed as the greens grow. Location is also important in terms of watering.
Make sure your veggies are in reach of the hosepipe or irrigation system and remain uncovered to receive as much rainfall as possible.
If you’re planning to grow on the stoep, make sure your containers have good drainage and expect to have some water flowing out from under the pots, which is something to consider when placing them.
Choosing the best vegetable
Seasonal veggies (meaning the ones to plant for that season) are your best bets for success as these greens are naturally adapted to the climate of the given time.
Also consider how the plant grows, some grow like ground covers (pumpkin) and need plenty of space, while others like to climb (beans) requiring support structures. Some veggies also need deeper soil (potatoes) and appear more bush-like on the top.
February/ March sowing suggestions
- Gauteng: spinach, lettuce, beetroot and carrots.
- Kwa-Zulu Natal: cabbage, broad beans, turnips and radish.
- Eastern Cape: spinach, beans, beetroot and carrots.
- Western Cape: cauliflower, celery, peas and onions.
Remember that compost make the crop. Visit your nursery for a variety of nutritious and organic fertilisers to keep your veggies growing for gold.
There is always time and space, even for a single vegetable to be sown. Gain a deeper appreciation for the food you eat by watching it grow and observing all the different phases of the life of a veggie.
Visit the Life is a Garden website www.lifeisagarden.co.za for more gardening inspiration or join the conversation on Facebook lifeisagardensa.
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