Growing fresh and affordable fruit and veg at home

There is something wonderful about the goodness and sense of fulfilment that can come from growing your own fruit and vegetables.

While fruit and vegetable gardens can generate thoughts of large backyards and open spaces, there are plenty of options for keen green thumbs who are limited with space, but want to explore the benefits of growing their own leafy greens.

The benefits of gardening are endless - it’s a great way to be out in nature, reduce grocery bills, increase incidental physical activity and more. If you are limited by space, then options like joining your local community garden, growing fruit and veg that will thrive in window sills and pots and growing things like chillies and herbs are a great option.

Our friends at Green Adelaide have popped together some great dos and don’ts when it comes to cultivating your own veggie patch, take a look at some of our favourite tips.

What hardy and staple crops can you grow to give you food in every season?

Most food plants that produce a fruit, such as tomatoes, capsicums and zucchinis, provide their goodness for one season at most, but other plants – such as spring onions, lettuce, cabbage, rocket, radish and leeks– can be planted almost any time of the year.

However, there are many other vegetables that, with a little know how, can be enjoyed for most of the year too.

Kale and silver beet can live for over a year – the trick is to plant them at the right time so they are well established before the heat of summer. Then you can pick leaves all year round.

Other vegetables like carrots, potatoes and beetroots can be planted from autumn to spring, just not in the in the heat of summer. Stagger your planting (plant them at different times, a few weeks or months apart), to enjoy these staples right across the year.

While pumpkins generally only grow over summer, you can cellar your pumpkin harvest (store in a cool place) for most of the year, giving you pumpkins well into the following autumn, winter and spring.

See what combinations of plants you should grow when to get food year round with these ideas.

What is best to grow and when?

It’s best to grow what’s in season. While some plants, like spring onions, can be grown all year round, most have a preferred growing temperature and season.

Visit a local plant nursery to explore these plants and how to grow and eat them.

How do I keep my plants alive and thriving?

First, if you’ve had some garden fails, don’t let it deter you – you’re definitely not alone and a few (or more than a few) mishaps are part of starting a garden!

You can set your plants up for success by knowing whether they prefer to be grown from seed or seedlings, as some plants don’t do well when transplanted. It’s also important to check what time of year they prefer to be planted and ensure they will get enough sun in your chosen spot.

Water your plants adequately, but not overwater them, and ensure they have good drainage if they’re in pots.

Give them fertiliser now and then and add compost to the soil, ideally some you have made at home. In summer, you will need to add a mulch around your plants to stop the soil from drying out. Pea straw is a great choice.