Epsiode: One
Date: August 16th 2008
Presenter: Neville Passmore
Story Title: Building A Veggie Patch

Brentwood Retirement Village Kincumber has asked Neville to help build an edible garden for its residents, and being situated on 56 acres of picturesque native forest, Neville jumped at the chance. With the help of Mitre 10, Neville sets the plans in motion to build a vegetable Garden that you can reproduce at home on a large or small scale.

Locate your Plot

• Find a spot with easterly aspect as morning sun is ideal.
• Make sure you have protection from strong winds.
• Locate away from large trees as the roots can steal moisture and nutrients.
• Put in a fence if you have young children and pets.

Preparation & Building

• It is very important that your soil is well prepared and nutrients have been added at least 4-5 weeks in advance.
• Remove any weeds and grasses by hand or weed killer.
• Dig over the soil to a depth of 30cm.
• With a pH soil test kit check the soils acid or alkaline level.
• If there are drainage issues or clay soils, use drainage pipe.
• Sleepers allow you to raise the beds to prevent you from bending too much.
• ACQ treated timber from Mitre 10 stops toxins getting in the soil from the wood.
• Sleepers can be held in place by star pickets.
• You can use galvanised screws to connect the pickets to the sleepers.
• Dig in well rotted compost or a soil additive or manure to a depth of 8cm to achieve a light crumbly soil type.
• Rake level, leaving a fine tithe of soil in which to sow seeds or plant seedlings.

Tools for the Job

• Soil pH Test kit.
• Digging fork.
• Spade and Shovel.
• Metal garden rake.
• Plastic rake.
• Wheelbarrow.
• Garden Hose & Fittings.
• Watering Can.
• Spray Equipment.

Contact

Your Nearest Mitre 10 Store
www.mitre10.com.au

Brentwood Village
Scaysbrook Drive
Kincumber NSW 2251
Ph       02 4368 1333
Fax      02 4368 1249
www.brentwoodvillage.com.au