How to grow a vegetable garden
Spring is the perfect time to get outside and grow your very own fruit and veggies – just like they do at the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. We’ve gathered some helpful tips on how to grow your very own edible garden.
1. Pick your space
Fruit and vegetable plants come in many different sizes, which means you can grow seedlings in even the smallest of spaces. Herbs, chillies and berries are ideal for growing on windowsills and balconies, while carrots, potatoes, lettuce and citrus need a bit more space so they’re better off in garden beds or large pots.
2. Save the seeds
Don’t throw away the seeds from chillies, capsicums, oranges and even pumpkins – use them to create more produce. Leave the seeds to dry on paper towel, then plant in a small container of soil and water regularly. Once your seeds start to sprout, transfer the seedlings to the pot or space you intend to grow them in and continue to water as needed. Remember to give each plant the amount of sun and shade they need – capsicums, for example, love full sun.
3. Collect the trimmings
Cooking with celery, bok choy or spring onions? Cut the bulb from the vegetable, keeping the base intact. Place it base-side down in a container of water, changing the water every day. Once the base grows roots and sprouts, you can plant it in your garden or in a planter box.
4. Grow the clippings
You can grow some herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, simply from plant cuttings. Cut a stem of about 10cm to 15cm from the plant, then place cut-side down in a container of water. It’s time to plant it when you see roots growing on the cutting.
