Eating the veggies you have grown in your own veggie patch is one of the most proud moments that you can experience. And they always seem to taste so much better than store bought produce too!
So, if you don’t have a vegetable patch in your own backyard, you definitely need to change that before Spring is done. So, what should you do?
Decide on where your veggie patch will be located, and how big it will be. Once you have decided on the size of your plot, fix a string line at both ends in your lawn with nails and wooden pegs. If your patch is going to be a little smaller, using a large timber square will achieve the same result.
Grab some marking paint and mark a line along your grass, right up against the string line or timber square - this will act as your guide for digging. If you’re going large and using a metal builders square, you may need to use a timber straightedge to extend its length.
If you have decided on a circular veggie patch, you will need to hammer a wooden peg into the centre of where you’d like your patch to be and drive a nail into the top of the peg - with a piece of string attached. Mark the circumference of the circle with paint while holding the string against the spray can.
Now you will need to dig out the turf, as well as shake the soil from the turf as you do go.
Tip: use the discarded turf from your plot for compost or to repair patches in your lawn.
Once you have dug out all the necessary turf, you will need to think about a border. This will stop your grass from growing into your veggie patch (especially if your turf is couch or kikuyu).
You can construct a border with either timber or railway sleepers or, if you are looking for a cheap option, consider a Victorian trench - this only costs you your time and energy. The aim with a trench is to make a wedge shape between the lawn and veggie bed. To construct one, dig straight down into the soil about 10cm at the lawn’s edge right around your veggie bed. Then dig out the dirt at a 45 degree angle from the veggie side toward the lawn to create the wedge shape.
Once your veggie patch has been prepared with soil from your local nursery, it’s time to plant. But, of course you need to grow what’s suitable for your climate. There are different options depending on your location, including:
If you are unsure, consult your local nursery as to what’s best in your area. Additionally remember that if you’re still suffering frosts or your soil temperature is still too cold, try and wait for a little longer.
Apart from the gastronomical benefits of a veggie garden, your veggie patch provides a great place to recycle your lawn clippings. This can be done either as mulch or as compost, as grass clippings have a high nitrogen content and decompose quickly. Also, when they’re combined with brown organic material (such as the leaves you raked up in your spring clean) to decompose, they provide a compost that’s awesome for your vegetables.
When used as mulch, lawn clippings help to keep your garden moist, keep the weeds out and add nutrients to the soil. The clippings also help to provide nitrogen and potassium, and both compost and mulch improve your soil structure. Remember however not to use clippings if you’ve recently applied herbicides or other chemicals such as fertilisers on your lawn, as this can be detrimental instead of beneficial.
Give Rosemount Turf a call if you are looking for any turf assistance - we can help!
We understand that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is having a significant impact on all Australians and that it is a difficult and unprecedented time at the moment. We wanted to assure you that health and safety are the top priorities for Rosemount Turf management and staff. There are certain measures that we have put in place to ensure that our customers and employees are safe. We are being vigilant with our office and ensuring all surfaces are sterilised and cleaned regularly.
We would like to remind you that orders can be made online or over the phone and paid for via credit card, so no cash handling is needed. We can arrange delivery and the placement of your turf over the phone with our administration staff when you purchase. You don't need to be home when it is delivered.
If you have any further questions regarding any of our safety policies that we have in place during this time, or would like to discuss some new turf, give us a call on (07) 5448 6398.
Rosemount turf along with Lawn Solutions Australia is reaffirming our commitment to consumers with our ability to produce and deliver high quality turf products to consumers. No contact is required during the ordering or delivering process.