Children love playing in the dirt. Why not combine fun with learning and get the little ones involved in the garden. A veggie patch is a great way to foster an early interest in gardening. It’s simple to set up, fun to do and the results are very satisfying (and tasty!) Veggie patches afford children the opportunity to grow something in the garden, even in winter. Older children can help to design and plan out the veggie patch. Veggie patches don’t need to take up a huge area. A courtyard or balcony can provide just enough space to get started.

First things first, invest in some tools for the children. Their little hands needs gloves and gardening implements that they can easily manage.  

For veggies patches, it is best to use a raised bed, in case the soil is poor underneath or there is poor drainage. It also means less digging come harvest time. And, raised beds can make a very attractive feature in your garden.  You can opt to make one yourself from recycled materials, but be careful in case some of the products you use have been treated in chemicals which can seep into the soil.  Many DIY stores also sell raised beds, including colourful options for children. Or you can have a personally designed bed planned out by your landscaper, to flow in with the rest of your outdoor space. 

The depth of the raised bed depends on what you wish to grow, but as a rule of ‘green’ thumb, don’t use anything less than 12” deep. The raised bed needs to be placed in a sunny part of your garden or balcony. Use some newspaper to cover the grass and cover with a good quality soil.

Once that is set up and running, the children can get involved in the planting. Mix it up by growing different types  of vegetables including mixture or root, vine and salad greens. Potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, radishes, snow peas and strawberries as well as herbs with pleasant scents are always a hit with children.

If you are looking to create a feature piece for your garden, why not use stone instead of timber?

 

Be a Water Super Hero! How to Conserve Water in the Garden!

It was nice to finally see some sunshine this week! And the mercury is only set to rise with summer only weeks away. Now is a good time to develop some healthy ‘water saving ‘ habits around the garden.  Waste not want not!

· 1) Plan your Plants!

Choose water efficient plants that have adapted to warmer climates. They often will not require any more water that what nature provides.

Group plants together in terms of how much water they use up. This is also referred to as ‘hydrozoning’ .It ensures that plants receive the correct amount of water.

· 2) Mulch

“The best time-saving measure a gardener can take is applying mulch” (Organic Gardening).  Every part of your garden will benefit  from mulch- veggie patches, flowers beds and every other part in between. Aside from keeping areas weed and pest free, mulch has the added benefit of making plants more drought-resistant as it prevents water evaporation.

· 3) Aerate the Lawn

If your lawn receives a lot of traffic, then the chances are that the soil underneath has become compacted. This can prevent the absorption of essential nutrients and water.  Spring is a good time to start aerating as it gives the lawn time to heal before summer.  

Remove any debris from the lawn and mow it. Then poke holes in the lawn about 10cm deep and about 20cm apart. Apply a thin, even layer of top dressing and then, voila!  


· 4) Warm Season Grass

Native, ‘warm season’  grasses are best for our tropical climate. Buffalo, Kikuyu and Couch are common in NSW.  They require less water than ryegrass or meadow grass, which are common in the US and UK.  Be careful not to cut your grass too short in summer.  The grass tips can provide some shade to the shallow soil underneath.

· 5) When and How to water

It is best to water your plants and lawn early in the morning or else later in the afternoon.  The sun is at its highest and warmest at midday, so by watering at this time, most of the precious water will evaporate into the air, leaving your thirsty plants needing more.

Trigger operated nozzle head hoses and watering cans are the most efficient. This targeted watering allows you to water deeply at the roots, as opposed to just spraying water everywhere. Sprinklers, although convenient, tend to be wasteful.  Nozzle heads that create a mist also tend to waste more water as it gets carried away in the wind.  

· 6) Collect Water

A water tank is a way of saving water for an ‘unrainy’ day. Check with your local council before installing of course!

Instead of throwing unused  water from boiling vegetables down the sink, why not use it as a fertiliser. It is filled with nutrients that your garden will love

Sources: Water Corporation, Organic Gardening