Recently I've been asked by several people for instructions to my extremely productive no dig veggie garden in Hervey Bay which I created from scratch... so here it is.
Warning: This method will produce an abundance of fresh vegetables bursting with flavour, without the use of chemicals or pesticides!
Materials:
- Pine or hardwood sleepers (or other suitable material such as masonry blocks) for border. Ensure wood has not been chemically treated, as these could potentially leach toxic chemicals into the garden bed.
- Lucerne hay (1 bale of hay will do aprrox 2 veggie beds)
- Compost (well rotted)
- Newspapers
- Manure
- Blood & bone
Construction:
With this method you can even build your veggie garden on top of grass; there is no need to prepare the ground unless your chosen site requires leveling.
- Build the border for your garden bed in a sunny area that will receive at least six hours per day of sunlight. The best orientation is north-south with taller growing plants at southern end of the garden bed for southern hemisphere dwellers (or at northern end of the garden bed if you're in the northern hemisphere).
- Place several layers of newspapers directly onto the ground inside your completed garden border, then water until newspapers are damp.
- Next place a layer of lucerne hay approx 10cm (4") deep, then water lightly.
- Cover with a layer of compost approx 10cm (4") deep. Rake to level, then water until entire surface is damp.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4.
- Add blood & bone and manure, then turn through upper compost layer. Rake to level, then water until entire surface is damp.
- Plant seeds or seedlings in rows directly into top layer of compost. It is a good idea to keep a note of what you have planted where. Water well, and keep moist until seedlings emerge.
Care:
If you have planted seeds, feed with seaweed solution when seedlings emerge. Apply solution approx every 2 weeks during growing season.
Approx every 3 weeks, add well rotted manure (Dynamic Lifter is an excellent alternative for green leafy vegetables, while tomatoes and other fruiting crops will benefit from cow & sheep manure), then water well.
Other useful tips:
I also like to plant a border of marigolds around the veggie plot, as these attract dragonflies which feed on other pests such as aphids.
To minimise evaporation, always water in the cooler part of the day.
To encourage healthier root growth, it is better to give few thorough waterings rather than many light waterings.
One small veggie plot, approx 1.2m x 3m (4' x 10') should be sufficient to feed 2 people, however it is best to have at least two veggie plots to allow crop rotation to avoid pests and diseases building up resistance.
Harvest your crop frequently, and enjoy!
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Approx 2 months later - my 1.2m x 3m (4' x 10') veggie plot,
using the method above. (click image to enlarge) |
