Tips for thriving veggies

These are my easy steps to get your vegetables started, and help you make the most of your veggie planter box.

• Place your planter box in a nice, sunny position that is protected from the wind. 6-8 hours of direct sun is ideal for vegetables.
• Different vegetables prefer different conditions – make sure the ones you plant are suitable for the time of year. For example, eggplants can’t tolerate frost so make sure to put them in only once the weather has started to warm up.
• Good soil is essential for veggie growth. Organic compost (such as mushroom compost), manure and sugar cane mulch are readily available at the hardware or garden store and make a great base for veggies. Add a handful or blood and bone or worm casing for extra nutrition.
• Too much manure as compost will encourage leaf growth instead of fruit due to the high nitrogen content, so use around 2kg per square metre of soil. Use Mushroom compost for the balance.
• Mulch reduces the amount of water evaporating from the soil, and provides valuable nutrients for the plants. Add a layer of sugar cane mulch to your veggie box.
• Make sure to water your veggies regularly! Watering the soil, rather than the leaves, will help to prevent leaf fungal diseases.

Enjoy your delicious, home-grown veggies!