Now is the time to prep your garden beds, ready to plant your winter veggies in April. Broccoli, onion, beetroot, beans, potatoes and many more will all thrive in a well prepared garden bed. Simply follow these easy instructions and get ready to harvest your own veggie stocks in just a few short months.
- Pull up any weeds, making sure you get the roots as well (weeds compete with plants for soil nutrition and leave them open to attack by insects and diseases so it’s important you remove them – roots and all!)
- Dig the whole patch with a fork or spade, incorporating any remaining mulch into the soil. Break up any clumps until you have a nice crumbly soil.
- Test the pH – this is important because most vegetables like a soil with a pH of about 6.5. And as soil has a tendency to slowly become acidic through fertilising, it is always a good idea to check it with a testing kit and if necessary add dolomite, garden lime or a liquid lime.
- Before planting, the soil will need conditioning with mushroom compost, or cow or chicken manure.
- Dig the compost or manure lightly into the soil and rake it – making sure it is crumbly, level and smooth. It will eventually break down, supplying the soil with beneficial organic matter.
- Give the bed a good watering at least a day before you plant. This will help the manure and compost to break down and settle prior to planting seeds or seedlings.
- Add mulch to prevent evaporation, stop weed growth and add structure to the soil by supplying it with beneficial organic matter.
- Get planting!
If you need any assistance preparing your garden beds for their winter veggies our gardening teams can help! Simply contact the office bookings@weedingwomen.com.au or request a call back on 1800 24 74 84.