Growing Veggies in Perth
Perth metro area has some unique growing conditions from hot and searing in summer to frosts in winter. The soils in Perth's metro area range from coastal sands that contain limestone and are ether reddish-brown(Spearwood sands)or yellow (Karrakatta sand) to the flatter land stretching to the foot hills that are white sands with a pale grey topsoil. All these soils are infertile and sometimes water-repellent. All these soils benefit from the use of a good quality compost/soil conditioner,rich in organic matter.Enriching the soil is essential to growing healthy vegetables in your veggie patch.Repeat applications of compost/soil conditioner will ensure a healthy and more sustainable soil to produce strong resilient plants to withstand the extreme conditions in Perth.
Preparing your soil for Veggies
The first thing we do to do a veggie patch is remove any sticks,rubbish,grasses and weeds from the area to be used and rake it over and shape it.
Apply a sprinkle of blood and bone and rock dust over the whole bed,then rake it over.
Spread a layer of compost/soil conditioner ( 4-6 inches thick) on top,then sprinkle some dolomite lime on top and turn it in.
Water the bed in and leave it to settle(about a week),meanwhile drop down to your local library(they need our support) and do some research on what you want to plant,a companion planting book is a great tool to maximize growing space.
Once settled and you are ready to plant,lightly rake the top inch of soil and plan out your garden,remembering in winter the sun drops down so plant the larger plants at the back(south side)of your garden,this is a good spot to put peas etc.
WATCH THEM JUMP OUT OF THE GROUND.
Retaining your Garden
There are many materials you can use to retain your veggie/herb garden.
For example :sleepers,limestone blocks,bricks and you can also purchase corrugated iron beds that you can just fill with compost/soil conditioner and away you go.
The advantages of growing in the corrugated beds is that there are less bugs like slaters,slugs and snails and the beds are great for the elderly or disabled because the they can be bought at various heights and sizes to suit.
Also another advantage of a retained garden is that the soil on the outer edges won,t be eroded when it is watered.
