Starting a garden can be a very exciting time for many. With the rising cost of living, many are now looking at home gardening as a way to alleviate some pressures, while also reaping the benefits a healthy and active outdoor lifestyle can bring.
Before you begin your gardening journey, there are a few things to consider when it comes to your vegetable garden layout.
Gardening space
It’s important to consider the area you wish to set up your garden in. Do you have a large open area where you can build rows upon rows of garden beds, or will your veggie patch design be narrow along the fence line? Having access to a water source close by is also important as it will make it much easier to be able to water your garden with it close by.
If you are placing your planter beds on grass, it is recommended to leave enough room between your garden beds to allow a lawn mower to easily fit between. However, if you place them on top of mulch or concrete, this might be less of an issue – you will just need to leave enough space to be able to get around the beds.
Whatever your design, our raised garden beds can fit just about any area you have, big or small. Mix and match rectangular, square or L-shaped garden beds together to create the vegetable garden layout of your dreams. High raised or lower to the ground, we also have a narrow fitting bed which is perfect if you are limited by space. The beds are also made from powder coated steel and come in a variety of Colorbond colours to complement your home.
Start small and grow
It can be exciting planning your new garden, and while it can be tempting to do it all at once , we recommend that you start small, especially if you’re a beginner gardener.
Regardless of your level, if you have high ambitions, there’s no harm in planning your dream garden layout from the start. In fact, planning early and sticking to the design will help you keep organised. But work through the plan slowly, maybe with only a few beds and pick some lower maintenance plants as your starting point. The great thing about the Organic Garden Co raised garden beds is that they are fast and easy to assemble, so they’re perfect for quick additions as you gain experience and expand your garden and existing layout.
Maintaining a garden can be quite a large responsibility, particularly if it requires daily watering, as well as regular pruning and weeding. Once you’ve built up your confidence, it’s easier to add to it and build out the garden of your dreams.
Spacing out your garden bed
When planting your seeds and seedlings, it’s important to think about how much space your plant needs. Inadequate space between your plants can cause issues with growth as your plants must then compete for water, nutrients and space. While this is not always the case, and some plants can thrive packed in closely, we recommend that beginners stick to the instructions on the back of the label.
Consider things such as the root system, whether plants grow in or above the ground, whether it is a climbing plant and will block out sunlight to other plants growing in the same bed. All these factors should be considered when starting your garden.
Depending on how many garden beds you have and the number of varieties you’d like to plant, you can plant in rows or sections. Most novice gardeners will likely pick a few varieties of plants to begin with in a small number of beds and it’s perfectly fine to plant a number of plants in the one garden bed. However, as you become more confident in your gardening skills and expand your garden, you may find that rows work well for you.
Adequate sunlight
When planning your garden spacing, factor in your sunlight needs and what your area can provide. Does your fence shadow cover the garden bed for most of the day? Are you living in an area where the sunlight available changes drastically across seasons or do you get direct sunlight all day all year round?
The amount of sunlight needed for a plant to prosper can vary greatly, but generally a plant requires around 6-8 hours a day. It’s best to check the label on your seeds or seedlings and follow the directions provided as close as you can. Light available is also important for your climate and soil quality. Crops tend to flourish more with warmer soil as the nutrient uptake is greater.
If you are in an area that gets quite cold in the winter, you may want to also consider how you protect your plants. A greenhouse cover may be a solution as it helps keep the soil warm by keeping the warmth from the sunlight inside a little longer.
Companion planting
Certain types of plants thrive when grown together with other plants. Companion planting can assist with the reduction of weeds and pests and increase the nutrients in the soil as the two plants can protect and provide for each other. This gives your plants the best possible opportunity to thrive.
Most plants have a small selection of companion plants that can be grown together, be it a flower, vegetable, herb or fruit. When it comes to choosing what to plant, it is good to start with what you like to eat and know will be eaten. If you like what you are growing, you are more likely to be excited about it and keep up maintenance!
If you’re looking for a combination of herbs and vegetables to grow together, we’ve created a guide to companion planting herbs and combinations.
The best advice we can give is to start small and build upon your garden as your confidence grows. While there may be some mistakes along the way, enjoy the many benefits gardening can bring and the output of your hard work!
