Sustainable living
Building an Edible Garden
Summer is here, which means there is no better time to pull out the gardening gloves to plant an edible garden. In recent years edible gardens have started to gain popularity as more and more people understand what is actually going into their food when it comes from a can or packet.
Some great reasons to start an edible garden include low cost fresh food is available at your fingertips, it is a great way to connect with nature, you know exactly what you are eating without the additives and produce sharing can be undertaken with neighbours to engender community spirit. I also think creating a garden can be healing on the mind, body and soul.
The best veggies to plant for a summer garden include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, corn, herbs, pumpkin, spinach, zucchini and silver beet. All of these veggies are hardy and perfect for beginners. Below are five tips to help you get started:
1. Use heirloom seeds. These seeds are pesticide free, can be used again and are not hybridised. Heirloom seeds are true to their type, which means, when sown again, you get exactly what was planted the season before.
2. Use organic fertilizers for your garden. They are available online or in your hardware store. Seaweed emulsion is a mineral supplement which is helpful when growing strong and healthy plants.
3. Always mulch, mulch, mulch! It protects your soil, the organisms in the ground and nourishes the soil when nutrients are broken down.
4. Use drip irrigation on a timer.
5. Only plant food that you are going to eat and share any surplus with neighbours.
Happy gardening!
By Annmarie Davies – www.honestpantry.com.au
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