Vege patch guide for rentals
COVID-19 saw Australians panic buying first toilet paper, then flour, then as supermarket shelves became increasingly empty, edible seedlings.
Whether or not you jumped on the bandwagon, frightened into self-sufficiency by scarcity, the good news is it is never too late to start growing your own delicious food.
>> READ MORE: WHAT TO PLANT IN JULY IN MACKAY
And better yet, you don’t need a lot of space.
In fact, you can feed your whole family from vegetables you grow in your backyard, even if you are renting.
Here’s how.
Pots
Pots would have to be the easiest to grow vegetables in when you are renting. They don’t require any digging up of lawn, any construction or approval from your landlord.
Better yet, they can be moved around to make the most of the sun during winter and the shade during summer.
There are lots of pots available these days. One of the most popular for growing edible plants are the self-watering pots. With a reservoir in the bottom that holds water, the soil stays damp, providing plants with a consistent level of moisture.
Self-watering pots are ideal for plants that love to stay moist, like mint, rocket, spinach and other leafy greens.
Other plants that do very well grown in pots are: beans, tomatoes, kale, lettuce, chard, coriander and chillis. Just remember you’ll have to trellis beans and tomatoes.
Some fruit trees grow better in pots too. Dwarf lemon and lime, fig and blueberries can all be grown in pots on a patio. They even look good flanking the front door.
>> READ MORE: HOW TO REMOVE NUTGRASS
Removable vege beds
Essentially, these are like pots but on a bigger scale. They can’t be moved around but empty, they can be moved or removed, making them ideal for larger scale vegetable production in a rental property.
Corrugated tin, plastic or even DIY timber, these beds are then filled with soil and planted out with plants, so they will kill any grass or lawn beneath. Keep this in mind before you plonk them all over the backyard of your rental.
Depending on where they are situated: full sun, part sun or shade, all vegetables should grow well in removal vege beds.
Remember, it’s what you put in to grow your vegetables that counts. Opt for a premium potting mix and be sure to mix in lots of organic matter and give your plants a good dose of seaweed fertiliser every now and again.
If in doubt, talk to the experienced staff at your local nursery. At Baileux, we recommend Porter’s Mitre 10.
