We hope you’re ready to kick off your urban gardening journey! Find yourself some space, grab some containers & potting mix, or prepare your garden beds, and let’s get growing! We’re starting with a root vegetable, a herbaceous vegetable, and a ground cover vegetable; each of these play an important role in our garden system, particularly when it comes to promoting the health of our soil.
Root veggies
Growing root vegetables in a garden can be beneficial to both the environment and home chefs. The deep-rooted vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, and onions bring a number of benefits to any garden. Not only are they abundant in nutrition and important vitamins, they require minimal space while still yielding large outputs. Root vegetables are also drought tolerant and require significantly less water than other types of crops. Furthermore, with their deep roots they help break up clay soil which is beneficial for any soils structure and can improve drainage for future plantings without the need for additional fertilisers or soil improvers. Not only are root vegetables environmentally friendly but they will also bring joy to home chefs who will have access to an abundance of farm fresh produce from their own backyards.
Root vegetables are a key player in protecting soil health due to the significant perennial root system they create. While annual crops tend to only reach down into the upper layers of topsoil, root vegetables and other perennials dig their roots deeply down into the subsoil and below. By doing so, these deep-rooted plants tone the soil structure, giving it more water holding capacity and improving fertility both horizontally and vertically. In addition, the extensive roots act as a barrier that prevents surface water from eroding the underlying soil, thereby preserving it for future generations.
Herbaceous veggies
Herbaceous vegetables are a type of plant that have soft and tender stems, leaves, and stalks. They do not produce woody tissues or structures, as opposed to most tree fruits. Herbaceous vegetables are a valuable addition to the garden because they require minimal maintenance but can yield an abundant harvest that requires no fertilization or chemical treatment. These vegetables can be left to grow abundantly in their contained space and just need occasional watering or harvesting. These plants are noted for requiring less cooking time than other types of vegetables. Most herbaceous vegetables contain significant amounts of vitamins A & C to help promote good health. Eating these nutrient-rich foods is one great way to get an extra boost in your daily servings of vegetables!
Herbaceous vegetables are incredibly beneficial for soil health, as they form a protective layer over the earth’s surface. This shielding layer prevents soil erosion due to wind and water and maintains organic matter which is important for nutrient recycling. Planting herbaceous vegetation also helps to maintain diversity in the bacterial and fungal populations that live within the soil, meaning that plants receive optimal nourishment for growth. Additionally, root systems of herbaceous vegetables offer support against slipping on steep surfaces, reducing further erosion caused by runoff from heavy rain. As such, planting vegetable crops with herbaceous characteristics certainly offers immense benefits when it comes to protecting soil from degradation.
Ground covers
Ground cover vegetables are an ideal way to bring life and colour to your garden without taking up too much space. These vegetative plants tend to produce small, edible leaves that creep and “trail” along the ground in a low-growing manner while adding nutrients back into your soil. Often these vegetables offer delights such as edible flowers, strawberry-like fruits, and miniature root vegetables. Many of these ground cover veggies require minimal care, work well with companion plants in a biodynamic or permaculture setting, and can be used for any method of gardening whether it is a raised bed, urban rooftop, or balcony pot.
Ground cover vegetables serve as a protective barrier for the soil to reduce erosion, preserve water, promote healthy aeration, and control weeds. These vegetables are hardy plants that grow quickly and competitively, suppressing weed growth and preventing the soil from becoming dry and leached of its nutrients. When these ground covers decompose they act as mulch or compost, giving the soil another layer of protection from the harsh rays of the sun. Additionally, their deep roots help to prevent rain water run-off and retain moisture, providing yet another benefit for preserving soil. By using ground cover vegetables in gardens and agricultural settings the overall health of soil can be significantly improved.
Annual life cycle
Each of the vegetables we are starting with are grown as annuals. Annual plants complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season- the seed will germinate, and then develop a root system, stems, and leaves. Once mature, the plant will flower, produce seeds, and then die off. The newly produced seeds will then stay dormant until the cycle begins again next season. The obvious advantage of annual plants is speed of growth, and if you’re just begging, it’s exciting to be able to see the success or failure of a new seed type within a few short months, rather than waiting several years for full maturity. And if something doesn’t work this year, you can always try again next year!
Wombok
Womboks are a type of chineese cabbage that can be a great addition to any garden. Rich in vitamins and minerals, they are one of the healthiest and most nutritious vegetables available. Womboks’ natural versatility makes them perfectly suitable to be grown even in small, urban spaces–their shallow roots mean that you don’t need an enormous backyard to cultivate them! Growing womboks is particularly rewarding for those with limited time too, as these plants don’t require daily care and maintenance to thrive. The end result is delicious, crunchy vegetables that can boost both mental and physical health.
Direct sow: Using compost to condition the soil in preparation for planting will give your womboks the best chance of success. Sow at a depth of 6mm. Keep fertilising every two weeks during their growing season, they also require regular watering and benefit from mulch to help retain moisture in the summer months. With sufficient care, you can expect a bountiful harvest come winter time!
Raise seedlings: Womboks grow best in moist, nutrient-rich soils that are at least partially shaded from the sun’s intense rays. Make sure you dig a planting hole of about 30 cm deep and wide before transferring your wombok seedling in; this way it can spread out its roots properly as it grows. Once transplanted water your soil regularly and keep weeds under control for optimum growing conditions. Before long you’ll be harvesting your delicious crop of womboks!
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Sowing Depth: 6mm
Germination: 7-14 days @ 10-35°C
Hardiness / Life Cycle: Frost Hardy Annual
Row Spacing: 60cm
Plant Spacing: 40cm
Position: Full sun, moist well drained soil
Days Until Maturity: 60-100 days
When to plant: Cool August-March, Temperate all year, Subtropical all year, Tropical February-November, Arid March-May & August-December.
Beetroot
Growing beetroots is a great way to reap the benefits of this versatile vegetable. Not only can they be eaten raw in salads or cooked as part of a nutritious meal, but they also offer nutritional benefits that make them a powerhouse in terms of overall health. Beetroots are low in calories but high in fiber and essential vitamins like magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Eating beets may help improve brain function and reduce inflammation. They could also support better cardiovascular health by helping lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. Allow yourself to reap the health benefits of this useful vegetable by growing some beetroots today!
Root vegetables should be sown directly into garden.
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This variety is commonly grown as a baby leaf and microgreen variety. The leaves are dark purple/red and are ready in around 35 days. They look amazing in salads and have a delicious sweet flavour. The roots mature at around 55 days. Great dual-purpose heirloom variety.
Sowing Depth: 15mm
Germination: 5-10 days @ 10-30°C
Hardiness / Life Cycle: Hardy Biennial (usually grown as an annual)
Row Spacing: 50cm
Plant Spacing: 10cm
Position: Full sun, moist well drained soil
Days Until Maturity: 55 days (35 days for baby leaf)
When to plant: Cool September-April, Temperate July-April, Subtropical February-October, Tropical March-June, Arid February-October.
Pumpkin (QLD Blue)
Queensland Blue Pumpkins are a special variety of pumpkin native to Australia that is packed with health benefits. Unlike traditional pumpkins, the Queensland Blue variety is much smaller and more vibrant in colour. Rich in antioxidants, these nutrient-packed pumpkins boast benefits such as boosting the immune system, promoting healthy skin, aiding digestion and protecting against inflammation. On top of these impressive health benefits, being grown in Australia makes them an extremely sustainable option due to their shorter transport times and reduced environmental impact – so next time you’re looking for a tasty culinary experience, why not give these beauties a try!
Growing QLD Blue pumpkins is a rewarding experience, especially when you take the time to nurture and care for them. To get the most out of your pumpkin patch, start at the beginning with the soil: make sure your space has nutrient-packed, well-draining dirt. Plant each seedling 7–10cm apart and then thin them out to 25–30cm apart if more than one volunteer seed germinates in each hole you dug. Watering regularly and deeply is important as these pumpkins have large root systems; mulching will also help retain moisture in hot weather. As the plants mature, keep an eye out for pests like aphids, slugs and snails by inspecting your plants frequently. If you find any issues, address them promptly before they become widespread. When harvest time arrives roughly 90 days after planting, pick your fruit while they’re still green or wait just one or two more days until they turn their signature bluegrey colour – either way it’s sure to be a sweet taste of success.
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QLD Blue pumpkins are not suitable for container growing- but if you don’t have a garden bed, you can try to grow them in a large container.
Sowing Depth: 20mm
Germination: 5-10 days @ 21-35°C
Hardiness / Life Cycle: Frost tender Annual
Row Spacing: 300cm
Plant Spacing: 120cm
Position: Full sun, moist well drained soil
Days Until Maturity: 100-140 days
When to plant: Cool October-December, Temperate September-December, Subtropical August-March, Tropical February-March, Arid August-March.