Elisabeth is ready to fill her new raised beds and start her veggie patch. Maybe you are too? This month, Keith gives us some great advice on getting started with growing your own food.

Location, location, location - lots of sun is an absolute must!

Type of veggie patch - options include a raised bed or building into existing lawn or garden bed. Eradicating grasses and weeds with a herbicide like Roundup or consider an organic alternative like Slasher according to the directions.

Soil preparation - prepare an existing area and improve soil with addition of quality compost like Clyde's Compost and topping with organic mulch like Who Flung Dung. Keith recommends using a broadfork to penetrate your soil (look for F.D Ryan's). Filling a raised bed? Ensure the base has either a layer of geo fabric or consider using Weed Gunnel. Beds can be filled with layers of organic matter using the “lasagne method”. Improve soil with Munash Rock Dust and fertilise regularly with products like Charlie Carp

What to plant? Ensure you are planting according to your location’s climate. Decide whether you will plant seedlings or propagate from seed.Set your seeds up for success by using the Moon calendar. 

Protect your veggies from pests. Hear Keith’s Earwigs control method.Look for organic products like Eco Oil and ECO Neem and consider netting to control cabbage moths and other pests.

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