If you're new to gardening and looking to grow food with your family, we're here to help you get started.
You don't need to know everything or have a perfect plan - gardening is all about experimenting and having fun together!
The Growing in Loddon Campaspe booklet has simple tips tailored to our region, so you can learn step by step.
Check out a few hints and tips from the Growing in Loddon Campaspe booklet below!
Kickstarting your garden adventure!
You have three main options for growing your fruits and veggies at home:
- Add them to garden beds you already have,
- Create a special veggie garden or wicking bed,
- Or use pots and containers.
Or mix and match!
Soil - the key to perfect produce!
Good soil is the key to a healthy veggie garden! Soil should feel crumbly, be dark in colour and hold moisture well.
Feeding your plants!
Plants need plenty of nutrients in the soil to grow well, especially fast-growing veggies.
You can add compost and manure to your soil to give your plants most of what they need. You can also use fertilisers to feed the soil.
Watering right - keep your garden thriving!
Water is super important for growing healthy herbs, fruits and veggies. They need a lot more water than native plants do.
Test the soil with your finger and if it's dry, then give it a drink! Make sure you water the roots, not the leaves. And water in the morning so your plants can get a drink before it gets hot.
Mulch magic! For happy, healthy plants.
Mulching means putting a layer of organic material on top of the soil. Cover your veggie garden with straw mulch, especially in summer, to keep water from evaporating too quickly.
When to harvest your veggies, and what to do with them!
Use all your senses when harvesting your veggies. Are they the right colour? Are they firm to the touch? Do they smell ripe? It's also a good idea to pick your veggies in the morning to help them stay crisp.
Sharing is caring! If you find you end up with too many veggies - think about sharing with your friends and family. And don't forget, many veggies can be frozen so you can use them later on.
What to plant in...
Autumn and Winter
Spring and Summer
All Year Round
