Starting from the ground up, you are, as they say, what you eat.
Growing your own produce can be so rewarding. It is not only providing you with fresh organic produce, but it can be educational, good exercise, relaxing, and, to top it off, save you money on your grocery bill.
When embarking on the journey of creating a home vegetable and herb garden (a kitchen garden), there are a few top tips from Rocky Point that will see you on the road to gardening greatness and bountiful harvests with their great range of gardening products.
Full sun: A ray of sunshine
Location, location, location. Most of your vegetables and herbs require a full sun position in the garden or placement of their pots. This means roughly 6 hours a day of direct sun on the plant. Too much shade will see plants susceptible to pest and disease attacks and failure to thrive or produce.
Great Soil: Getting the dirt on the dirt.
There is so much more to soil than it just being the anchor for plant roots. Soil has a vast microbiome, and the healthier it is, the healthier your plants will be. Rocky Point Organic Health Garden Soil is the best on the market when it comes to a certified organic soil. Whether it be used to mix through existing soil or in raised garden beds, this is a true soil, not a blend. Over time, adding organic-rich products to the soil, such as Rocky Point Cow Manure Plus, Rocky Point Blood and Bone and Rocky Point ActivGrow Soil Improver compost, will top up and add nutrient-rich matter to existing garden beds in the ground or above.
Mulching: Why mulch? Which mulch?
When it comes to protecting your soil from harsh weather conditions, suppressing weeds, and retaining soil moisture, Rocky Point recommends their Rocky Point Sugar Cane Mulch, Rocky Point Lucerne or Rocky Point Pea Straw for all your EDIBLE GARDENS and FRUITING TREES.
These mulches will do all the above, as well as add organic matter to the soil as they break down.
Sow what when: Growing seasonally.
This can have a massive bearing on your success or failure rates. Sowing and growing certain vegetables and herbs at the wrong time of year will cause disease and pest issues and poor productivity. Knowing what season each edible grows best in is the key to success here. Check out our seasonal calendar in each Better Earth Secrets to know what’s in season, or ask your local garden centre team.
Continued Care: Fertilising and cultural practices.
Using liquid seaweed, organic fertilisers, and consistent watering of prepared, planted, and mulched gardens are the key to long-term success.
Side dressings of Rocky Point ActivGrow Fertiliser Pellets or Rocky Point Poultry Manure Pellets every 6 weeks are recommended.
Design ideas for your kitchen garden:
Why not get creative and have a look at what types of edible garden designs are out there? Think parterre, mandala, or raised wooden rectangle beds in a grid pattern. Maybe add garden art, growing tepees, and attractive edging. The options are endless.
