Mitre 10 Project Garden - Plant a Healthy Vegetable Garden
Episode: Three
Date: 22th March 3008
Presenter: Neville Passmore
Story Title: Mitre 10 Project Garden - Plant a Healthy Vegetable Garden
Vegetables are part of our everyday diet so why not reap the benefits and rewards of growing your own? This week the team show you how to create your own vegetable garden from scratch with the help of the Mitre 10 Project Planners. They not only show you the DIY aspects of the project but also give you some facts that are classically original to the Garden Gurus name.
Step One- Locate Your Plot
All vegetables need plenty of sunshine. Morning sun is ideal, so find a spot with an easterly aspect. They also need protection from strong winds, particularly during the extreme summer weather, so provide a wind break on the westerly side if possible. Also, locate away from large trees, as tree roots can steal moisture and nutrients from the growing area. It should be located close to the house for practical reasons so you can easily pop out and pick what you need fresh off the plant. If you have young children or pets, you may need to fence it off in some way to protect the soil and crops from small feet or digging animals. Birds can be deterred with hawk kites, tying empty supermarket bags to the fence or stakes, or by stringing pieces of aluminum foil among rows. ?Keep Off? repellant is also available from most Mitre 10 stores which you spray around the perimeter of the plot to discourage cats, dogs and birds.
Step Two- Preparation
The secret to successful vegetable growing is the soil preparation. Most suburban soils haven?t the essential nutrients needed. So it is important you soil is well prepared and nutrients added at least 4-5 weeks in advance of planting crops. Start by removing any debris or weeds and grasses by hand or with weedkillers. Then dig over the soil to a depth of about 30cm. With a pH Soil Test Kit, check the soil?s acid and alkine (?sour? and ?sweet?) level- too acid or too alkine restricts nutrients uptake in the soil. If you prefer, your Mitre 10 store can do this testing for you is you take them soil samples from four to six different spots in the plot. If the pH reading is below 6.0, apply garden lime at the rate of about 1-2 cups per square meter (250-500grms per square meter), water in, and leave for 7-10 days. Check the pH again- a reading of 6.5 is ideal. If the soil is rather heavy and tends to hold water after rain, try raising the beds by mounding them.
Excess water will drain away, Dig in well-rotted compost or one of the many soil additives or animal manures available to a depth of 8cms to achieve a light crumbly soil type. Finally, rake level, leaving a fine tilth of soil in which to sow seeds or plant seedlings.
Step Three- What to Grow
Australia has many climatic zones and the range of variances is very wide. The Team used a variety of seedlings and seeds to start their vegetable patch that will be successful in the Autumn months. Some of these plants include chives, leeks, onion, and a range of herbs, lettuces and oriental cabbages. Have a look on your Mitre 10 plan to get specific details on what to plant in your city and season.
Step Four- Planting
Most vegetables can be purchased as seedlings. Planted or sown rows should run north/south to ensure all plants receive maximum sunlight and minimal shading, with at least 50cm between rows to allow for a walkway and use of a wheelbarrow. If growing suitable vegetable species from seed, follow step 2 and bring the soil to a fine tilth 4-5 weeks before planting. Add a complete fertilizer such as Gro-Plus Complete, applying aprox. 100grm/per square meter.
Rake lightly into the soil, then water in well. Make a furrow for the seeds and plant according to the instructions on the seed pack. Most packs provide information on seed spacing, depth to sow, and sowing times for climatic regions. Then cover the seeds with a light covering of friable soil to the depth recommended on the seed package.
Step Five- After Care
Water is important to vegetables for them to reach their full size and flavor. A good deep watering is preferable to short shallow watering. Check the soil regularly and keep moist.
Feeding:
Vegetables require regular doses of either organic or artificial fertilizers to generate growth, especially in nutrient poor soils. Animal manures or Blood and Bone combined with regular applications of liquid fertilisers such as Aquasolor Thrive help to encourage healthy crops.
Organic Fertillisers include garden compost, Blood and Bone, Bone and Dust and animal manures. They release nutrients slowly to the soil and help improve soil structure and retain moisture. They are not really leached through the soil by watering or rain. Green manure crops, such as peas and beans (legumes) also improve soil condition and fertility when dug back into the soil after cropping. Artificial or Inorganic Fertilisers are made from naturally occurring minerals and provide nutrients in concentrated form. Generally, plants respond quite rapidly to these fertilizers, but they can easily leached through soil by watering or rain.
For more information on pest & diseases and companion planting check your Mitre 10 plan for all the information you need.
Tools for the Job
Material Checklist
There can be a range of variables in your materials so it is best to check with a helpful Mitre 10 staff member who will give you the best possible advice.
For a detailed MitrePlan on ?Plant a Healthy Vegetable Garden? follow the link or pick one up at your local Mitre 10 store.
www.mitre10.com.au
Date: 22th March 3008
Presenter: Neville Passmore
Story Title: Mitre 10 Project Garden - Plant a Healthy Vegetable Garden
Vegetables are part of our everyday diet so why not reap the benefits and rewards of growing your own? This week the team show you how to create your own vegetable garden from scratch with the help of the Mitre 10 Project Planners. They not only show you the DIY aspects of the project but also give you some facts that are classically original to the Garden Gurus name.
Step One- Locate Your Plot
All vegetables need plenty of sunshine. Morning sun is ideal, so find a spot with an easterly aspect. They also need protection from strong winds, particularly during the extreme summer weather, so provide a wind break on the westerly side if possible. Also, locate away from large trees, as tree roots can steal moisture and nutrients from the growing area. It should be located close to the house for practical reasons so you can easily pop out and pick what you need fresh off the plant. If you have young children or pets, you may need to fence it off in some way to protect the soil and crops from small feet or digging animals. Birds can be deterred with hawk kites, tying empty supermarket bags to the fence or stakes, or by stringing pieces of aluminum foil among rows. ?Keep Off? repellant is also available from most Mitre 10 stores which you spray around the perimeter of the plot to discourage cats, dogs and birds.
Step Two- Preparation
The secret to successful vegetable growing is the soil preparation. Most suburban soils haven?t the essential nutrients needed. So it is important you soil is well prepared and nutrients added at least 4-5 weeks in advance of planting crops. Start by removing any debris or weeds and grasses by hand or with weedkillers. Then dig over the soil to a depth of about 30cm. With a pH Soil Test Kit, check the soil?s acid and alkine (?sour? and ?sweet?) level- too acid or too alkine restricts nutrients uptake in the soil. If you prefer, your Mitre 10 store can do this testing for you is you take them soil samples from four to six different spots in the plot. If the pH reading is below 6.0, apply garden lime at the rate of about 1-2 cups per square meter (250-500grms per square meter), water in, and leave for 7-10 days. Check the pH again- a reading of 6.5 is ideal. If the soil is rather heavy and tends to hold water after rain, try raising the beds by mounding them.
Excess water will drain away, Dig in well-rotted compost or one of the many soil additives or animal manures available to a depth of 8cms to achieve a light crumbly soil type. Finally, rake level, leaving a fine tilth of soil in which to sow seeds or plant seedlings.
Step Three- What to Grow
Australia has many climatic zones and the range of variances is very wide. The Team used a variety of seedlings and seeds to start their vegetable patch that will be successful in the Autumn months. Some of these plants include chives, leeks, onion, and a range of herbs, lettuces and oriental cabbages. Have a look on your Mitre 10 plan to get specific details on what to plant in your city and season.
Step Four- Planting
Most vegetables can be purchased as seedlings. Planted or sown rows should run north/south to ensure all plants receive maximum sunlight and minimal shading, with at least 50cm between rows to allow for a walkway and use of a wheelbarrow. If growing suitable vegetable species from seed, follow step 2 and bring the soil to a fine tilth 4-5 weeks before planting. Add a complete fertilizer such as Gro-Plus Complete, applying aprox. 100grm/per square meter.
Rake lightly into the soil, then water in well. Make a furrow for the seeds and plant according to the instructions on the seed pack. Most packs provide information on seed spacing, depth to sow, and sowing times for climatic regions. Then cover the seeds with a light covering of friable soil to the depth recommended on the seed package.
Step Five- After Care
Water is important to vegetables for them to reach their full size and flavor. A good deep watering is preferable to short shallow watering. Check the soil regularly and keep moist.
Feeding:
Vegetables require regular doses of either organic or artificial fertilizers to generate growth, especially in nutrient poor soils. Animal manures or Blood and Bone combined with regular applications of liquid fertilisers such as Aquasolor Thrive help to encourage healthy crops.
Organic Fertillisers include garden compost, Blood and Bone, Bone and Dust and animal manures. They release nutrients slowly to the soil and help improve soil structure and retain moisture. They are not really leached through the soil by watering or rain. Green manure crops, such as peas and beans (legumes) also improve soil condition and fertility when dug back into the soil after cropping. Artificial or Inorganic Fertilisers are made from naturally occurring minerals and provide nutrients in concentrated form. Generally, plants respond quite rapidly to these fertilizers, but they can easily leached through soil by watering or rain.
For more information on pest & diseases and companion planting check your Mitre 10 plan for all the information you need.
Tools for the Job
- Plastic Rake
- Soil pH Test Kit
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Spade
- Garden Hose and Fittings
- Digging Fork
- Watering Can
- Spray Equipment
Material Checklist
- Garden Lime
- Mulch
- Compost
- Fertilisers
- Weedkillers
- Insecticides/Pesticides (as required)
- Agi Pipe, Scoria or Small Stones (if drainage required)
- Seedlings and Seeds
- Peat Moss or Vermiculite (if raising from seed)
- Seed Raising Mix
There can be a range of variables in your materials so it is best to check with a helpful Mitre 10 staff member who will give you the best possible advice.
For a detailed MitrePlan on ?Plant a Healthy Vegetable Garden? follow the link or pick one up at your local Mitre 10 store.
www.mitre10.com.au
AS SEEN ON 
