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HOME GROWN VEGETABLES
By growing vegetables in your own yard, you can save a lot of money, educate the children and have lots of fun. Outdoor living plays a big part in our lives today and there is nothing better than picking your own fresh vegetables and cooking some on a barbeque with your friends. Just think of this... a hot plate with sizzling zucchini, fried tomatos and sweet corn on the cob spread with butter and wrapped in alfoil. Have you tried sweet corn cobs sealed in glad wrap and cooked in a microwave. The moisture is retained so the sweet corn is cooked in its own juices quickly and evenly.
You might like to pick the sweet corn cob straight off the stalk and eat it uncooked straight away. This is what I call 'Live Food'.
Crisp lettuce, sweet carrots, bright red, ripe tomatoes and juicy cucumbers that come straight from your garden to the salad bowl. You might have a green garden, but your neighbour might be greener with envy.
For flavour there is nothing better than garden-fresh, tasty, crisp home grown vegetables. Freshly picked salad vegetables are full of healthy vitamins and you control what chemicals they have been sprayed with. Would you like some suggestions on how to use your home grown produce? Food from the Vegi Garden
GROWING VEGETABLE IN CONTAINERS.
Many people who live in flats have very little open space to create a vegetable garden. With the aid of pots there are some types of vegetables that can be grown.
Tomatoes grow well in tubs provided they are kept well watered and fed regularly. Tall varieties will need a five foot stake inserted into the soil when the tomato plant is first planted. If you have a large pot and a trellis, you might like to try growing a grafted tomato. A large self-watering pot makes the ideal container to help keep those plants moist during the hot weather. Just one plant on a trellis can easily be sprayed for disease and will give you an abundance of tomatos.
Cos lettuce and Mignonettes do well, providing that you pick the outer leaves off while the plants are still growing. This will actually encourage them to grow more.
Silver Beet is a plant that does well in pots and will keep on producing as you pick off the leaves.
Try the Capsicum for a front yard specimen in pots. These plants look very attractive with their red and green coloured fruit and are a very useful crop for summer-time salads.
Use plastic terracotta pots for growing your garden supplies because they are non-porous and do not dry out as quickly. If you are using a normal plastic tub, stay away from black or very dark colours as these absorb heat.
Make sure there is a good layer of mulch so that the roots keep cool and moist. Always use a good potting medium.
REMEMBER Vegetables need plenty of organic fertiliser use Neutrog or Dynamic Lifter to keep them growing strong and healthy.
GROWING WINTER VEGETABLES IN A GLASS HOUSE
WINTER TOMATOES
These plants will grow well in tubs provided they are kept moist and fed regularly. The tall winter varieties will need a five foot stake inserted into the pot soil before the tomato plant is first planted.
Large black plastic containers are ideal for planting your winter tomatoes into. Black plastic tubs are best because they tend to draw the heat and increase the soil temperature around the root system. Just sit in a black car and you will see what I mean.
Be sure to place the tubs onto bricks (or something similar) so that the drain holes are free from the ground below. In most cases where I have seen tubs sitting directly onto the ground, the tub has sunk into the soil, blocking off the drainage hole. This has then caused the potting medium to become waterlogged and the plants have rotted away.
The potting medium must be of high quality which is designed to retain moisture but still have a good drainage.
WATERNG
With container grown plants, apply enough water allowing water to flow throughout the root ball and down to base of the pot and out through the drainage holes.
Tomato plants are almost completely made up of water so it is important to supply them with sufficient moisture to maintain good plant health. With not enough water the root system will shrivel and the plant will wilt and die. Too much water applied too frequently deprives roots of oxygen leading to plant diseases such as root and stem rots.
Water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress. Be sure to water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant's foliage prior to night fall. This will then help to prevent fungus problems.
DISEASES
Whitefly is one of the main pest which can cause havoc on the plants. If the plants are infested with whiteflies, you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant foliage is disturbed. Each female clay up to 200 eggs which are usually deposited on the under sides of the leaves of the plants. When they hatch out they suck the sap from the plants causing the leaves to have a fine, yellow mottling look on the upper surface. With a heavy build up they can eventually cause the plants to wilt and loose the crop.
OPEN GROUND VEGETABLES
There has been a big change in vegetable selections over the years and this will continue as seed growers endeavour to supply new varieties from all over the world.
It is most important to remember that the success of your home grown vegetables is determined by the type of soil, which fertiliser is used, the correct watering procedure, pest and fungus control and last but not least weed management. The success of having a good healthy body is determined by the type of food we consume.
Healthy fresh vegetables prepared as soon as possible after they have been picked will determine how much vital goodness we will receive. When we buy from fruit and vegetable suppliers we have no idea how long since the vegetables were harvested or what they have been sprayed with.
GROWING VEGETABLES NEAR THE COAST
A lot of people as they reach the later years in life move to the coast to settle down and enjoy their life. They start a vegetable garden and give up after the first year. This photo shows a vegetable garden growing right on the cliff top of Stansbury, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Vegetable gardens can be very successful providing the right preparation is put into place first.
 Click photo for larger picture
WIND SHELTER
It is important to build a good wind break around the garden bed. If the garden area is large you may need to divide the bed which has a wind break around it with internal walls sections. You can use shrubs to act as wind breaks but the roots will tend to rob your vegetable garden of moisture and they will eat up the organic substance or fertiliser.
The wind breaks can be made from Brush (as shown in the picture above), wooden palings, stone walls or shade cloth.
SOIL PREPARATION
The sandy soils along the coast need to be worked to build body into the ground especially where there is limestone shale or rock underneath the top layer of soil.
There are many ways to improve our soils. Animal manure is often unbalanced; high in Nitrogen content, but deficient in Potash and Phosphate, so the soil must be improved with inorganic fertilisers or else the plants tend to put on leaf growth only. While this may be good for leaf eating crops, plants that are grown for flowers or fruits tend to suffer.
Make sure that the animal manure you use is well aged, otherwise the plant root systems may be burnt. The manure should be dug well into the soil and left to cool off. Digging in has the advantage in that it prevents any loss of the valuable constituent Ammonia.
Compost is the most common source of humus and the compost heap is a convenient place to turn house and garden waste to a good purpose. Lawn clippings, vegetable tops and peelings, waste outer leaves of vegies, weeds that have not gone to seed all make good compost. Course materials should be chopped before adding to the heap to increase break down time.
Crop rotation for the vegetable patch is just as important as feeding your garden because vegetable plants of the same family or group may be suffering from disease and changing to a different family each year will help prevent the spread of disease and insects.
Last season's mulch can returned to the ground by digging it in.
Never dig back into the ground infected mulch and DO NOT compost diseased plants, always endeavour to place them in the rubbish bin.
Wetting agents can also be applied the ground after the basic preparations have taken place. MULCH
There are many types of mulches on the market
Make sure that a heavy cover of mulch is spread over the top soil to help retain the moisture and keep the roots cool. Don't forget to add a wetting agent to the soil before the mulch is laid down.
(click here for information on mulches )
WATERING
Just as our body will burn and dry up during the summer months if we were out in the hot sun, so can the plants. Gardens need a lot of well planned care at this time of the year to try and stop heat stress.
Watering would have to be one of the most important summer garden chores if you are expecting your garden to look nice right through to the autumn. Application of water is best done in the cool of the early morning. Watering the garden during the heat of the day causes a high loss of moisture due to evaporation. If the plant is dry and shows stress, then it is important to water as soon as possible. Irreparable damage can be done to the plant if it suffers from water stress for too long. Give long deep watering so that the plant's root system will be trained to search deep into the ground below. Shallow watering will only dry out in a short time leaving the plant to suffer and possibly die.
Sandy soils need to have compost dug in to help retain the moisture.
SOIL WETTING AGENTS
These agents, when applied to the soil are long lasting and help the water to penetrate deeply and evenly increasing the moisture retention in the root zone, saving water by reducing the run off.
For more information see Munns Weta-Lawn & Garden or Easy Wetta
PLANTING GUIDE FOR SOME VARIETIES OF VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS
BEETROOT (Chenopodiaceae)
Beta vulgaris.
Beetroot will grow in most garden soils, like all root vegetables the soil needs to be deeply cultivated and contain plenty of organic matter. When planting space the seedlings 15cm apart. Commence pulling when the roots are the size of golf balls, as they mature quickly. If they are left too long the Beetroot will become woody. The young leaves can be eaten the same as Silverbeet. Seedling need full sun and will mature between 70 and 80 days. Plants available all year round.
BROCCOLI (Brassicaceae)
Brassica oleracea Var. italica.
This is a very favoured year-round vegetable with a long picking duration. Broccoli is best kept well cultivated and side-dressed with a nitrogenous fertiliser, such as pelleted chicken manure. The plants may need spraying to control Aphids or Caterpillars. Plant in full sun and 30cm apart. The seedlings are available all year round and will mature between 100 - 150 days.
When harvesting, pick the central head first, so that the side branches will develop. It is better to select the heads early rather than late, otherwise the flower heads will begin opening up.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS (Brassicaceae)
Brassica oleracea Var. gemmifera.
Sprouts require a good rich soil which contain plenty of organic matter. To produce good, firm sprouts they must have cool weather. Plant in summer so that they will develop strong frames, allowing the sprouts to develop as the autumn weather cools. Brussels sprouts need full sun and when planting space the seedling at 40cm apart and depending on the weather, they will mature in 140 days. When harvesting, pick from the base of the stalks as the sprouts develop and become firm. For late harvesting, pinch out the terminal tip.
CABBAGE (Brassicaceae)
Brassica oleracea Var. capitata.
Cabbages require fertile soil with sufficient organic matter to retain moisture and promote even growth. When planting, dig deeply with a trowel and bury the stems right up to the first three leaves, as this will provide strong support. Space plants at 30cm apart in full sun. Keep well cultivated with a side dressing of nitrogenous fertiliser to maintain the growth. Such as pelleted chicken manure. Cabbages (depending on the cultivar) will develop for harvesting from 70 - 180 days. Cut when required. Plant all year round.
CAPSICUM
Capsicum annuum.
These plants are very popular during the summer months when everyone is using heaps of salads. For some suggestions see Food from the Vegi Garden Sweet and hot peppers are relatively easy to grow and they enjoy similar conditions to tomatoes. Varieties grow from 50 - 60cm in height and need to be spaced at 30cm intervals apart and should be planted in full sun. Capsicums are gross feeders and require complete fertiliser prior to planting and as the fruit begin to swell. Depending on the weather, the plants fruit 90 days after the planting seedlings. All varieties are frost tender and require a regular watering regime. Seedlings available from Sep. - Dec.
CAULIFLOWER (Brassicaceae)
Brassica oleracea Var. botrytis.
Cauliflowers grow well during the cooler conditions to a height of 50cm and need to be planted at spaces 30cm apart in full sun. The plants tend to mature all at once, so only buy small quantities of seedlings at a time. Cauliflowers need plenty of fertiliser to ensure vigorous lush growth. They experience similar pest problems to the other Brassicas, particularly caterpillars and white butterfly. As the curds develop, bend central leaves over to protect them from the sun in Summer and frost in winter. To harvest, cut the heads while they are still firm and before the heads open up. Plant all year round.
CELERY
Apium graveolens.
The correct way to grow celery is in a trench, as this will assist in watering and development of the long, white stems. The stalks are kept shaded by the trench, but their tops receive the sun. Place timbers each side of the trench to prevent the soil encasing the stalks with soil or mulch. Prepare the ground by digging in an abundance of organic compost and organic fertiliser. Plant the seedlings 30cm apart and grow in full sun and in approximately 120 days you can start cutting as required. Cultivate a balance of growth with abundance of water and dressings of nitrogenous fertiliser, to prevent the stalks growing hard and woody. The Celery plant is shallow-rooted and responds to a rich mulch. Plants are available from Jan. - June.
CUCUMBER
Cucumis sativus.
A warm season vine crop, which is frost-tender and needs protecting from strong winds, but planted in full sun. The seedling have very soft stems and roots, so take care not to disturb their root system too much when transplanting. Plant in pairs, just incase one is broken or attacked by a snail or slug. The planting distance can vary from 45 - 80cm depending on the variety and they should mature in about 8 - 9 weeks. Always keep the plants weed free and well watered. The plants are available from Sept. - Dec.
EGGPLANT
Solanum melongena.
These frost tender, summer vegetables need a sunny well sheltered position. The fruit are subject to sunburn, so plant them in blocks to help overcome this problem. The plants need a well drained soil and a complete fertiliser added to the ground a few weeks before planting. Once the plants begin to fruit, apply a side dressing of nitrogenous fertiliser. Plant 30cm apart and they will reach a height of 50 -60cm and mature in approximately 75 days.
Plants are available from Oct. - Dec.
LEEK (Alliaceae)
Allium ampeloprasum.
Leeks are a good winter crop and they make a very tasty soup. They have thick edible white stems with lush green leaves. These plants demand a well prepared soil with plenty of organic compost and general purpose fertiliser. Plant the seedling 10 - 12cm apart and with a dibber, making the holes 10 - 15cm deep. Plant in full sun. Feed with a side dressing of nitrogenous fertiliser, two to four weeks after planting. Harvest as required as soon as the plants have grown to sufficient size. Plants available from Sept. - Jan.
LETTUCE
Lactuca sativa.
Lettuce are good salad plants which come in various types:- heart forming, upright and loose leafed. They are a good all rounder plant growing from 50 - 60cm in height depending on the variety. Plant the seedling at 30cm intervals in full/part sun. Lettuce are shallow rooted, so mulching and regular watering is essential. Plants available all the year round.
ONION
This very popular vegetable with its characteristic hollow cylindrical leaves, grows in various shapes, colours and degrees of sweetness and pungency. These plants need an open sunny position and plenty of organic material and fertiliser mixed into the soil. Plant the seedlings 12cm apart. They mature from 130 - 200 days and can be harvested when the leaves fall over and begin to die. These plants are available from May - July.
Spring onions are different and the plants are available most of the year round. Plant crops every few weeks to ensure a continuous crop. Plant seedlings 10 - 15 cm apart.
PEA
Pisum stivum.
Peas are another very popular vegetable which when grown will be a highly rewarding crop for the home gardener. Especially for children. These legume plants need to have nitrogen added to the soil. There are a lot of varieties to choose from so choose well. Peas are frost tender and need to be planted in full sun. Plant seedlings at 15cm intervals apart.
Plants available from Aug. - Dec.
PUMPKIN
Cucurbita maxima.
This is a warm season, frost tender, vine crop with fruit of various sizes, shapes, colours and intensity of flavours. Pumpkins need plenty of organic material added to the soil to aid fertilization and consequently form fruit. At the onset of fruit formation additional all purpose fertiliser should be added to the soil. Pumpkins are best planted in full sun in pairs at 40 - 50cm apart. Maturity is at 110 - 130 days. Start harvesting when the vine begins to die back. Always cut the pumpkin with at least a 10cm stalk and store in a dry area with good air circulation. Plants available from Sept. - Dec.
ROCKMELON
Cucumis melo.
Rockmelon plants are best planted at 120cm apart in full sun on a mound. When preparing the soil, plenty of rich compost and organic fertiliser must be added some weeks before. Keep well watered until the fruit are ready to pick.
SILVERBEET
They are a good all year round producing plant. Break off individual leaves, or if using for salad use whole young plants. Plant the seedlings in full sun at 25cm apart and they will mature in 50 days.
Plants available all year round.
SPINACH
A quick maturing plant, having a green leafy crop with upright leaves. The Spinach leaves are narrow and oblong shaped. Pick outside the leaves carefully so as not to damage the centre of the plant. Use the small leaves in salads. The larger leaves shred and place in casseroles or soups. The plants are available all year round, but for summer harvesting plant them in the shade and winter in full sun. Plant seedlings 8 - 10 cm apart and they will mature in 30 - 60 days, depending on the weather. Spinach needs plenty of organic material in the soil and additional fertiliser to keep the new growth soft and tender.
STRAWBERRY
See our fact sheet on plants (Growing Strawberries).
SWEETCORN
These plants will grow to 100cm and are frost tender when they are seedlings. They need warmth and moisture to ensure quick growth. Hilling up the soil helps stop the plants from being blown over. Space the seedlings 25 - 30cm apart in full Sun. Sweetcorn plants mature in 14 - 16 weeks. Harvest can take place as soon as the silk starts to dry and the kernels should be tender to the thumb nail. Plants available from Sept. - Jan.
TOMATO
When planting young tomato seedlings out into the ground, feed them with some slow release fertiliser placed two inches below the root system to give them a good start. Once the tomato plants have started to grow, feed them with Tomato Food or an organic pelleted variety.
There are many brands on the shelves to choose from and if you are unsure which one you need ask your garden expert for help. Preparation for planting tomatos is just as important as for most vegetables. Choose a sunny position where you haven't grown tomatos for at least three years. Dig into the ground some compost or Copraplus and add a dressing of Superphosphate to give the young plants a good start. The tall varieties of tomatoes will need tall Jarrah stakes, while the low bushy species need a support to keep the fruit of the ground. Tomatos are subject to infestations of thrip, so plant some Basil nearby as a natural repellant. Four basil plants to one tomato.
Plants available from Oct. - Feb.
Would you like some suggestions on how to use your home grown produce? See, Food from the Vegi Garden.
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