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All you need to do is buy (or make) a shallow wooden slatted box on legs in which you can plant a smorgasbord of salads, herbs and veggies. Make sure your box is in a sunny position for the plants to thrive.
Preparation
First line your box with a material called Weed Guard. It will prevent the soil falling through but still allow drainage. Staple the material to the edges of the box right up to the edge and then trim off.
Drainage
Add a 5cm layer of LECA (a clay like substance) for drainage.
Soil mixture
Potting soil and Superflora Mix– fill the box three quarters full with potting soil, then add Superflora. For every two bags of 30dm potting soil you add ten litres of Superflora Mix (two to one). Mix it thoroughly with the potting soil and the same time loosening up the soil for drainage.
Feeding
Add 60g of superphosphate and 60 g of bonemeal – about a handful. Superphosphate is a fast acting and helps root development while bonemeal will work in the long term.
Weed control
Add snapshot to stop weed growth. Sprinkle snapshot lightly over the soil and mix it in before planting your veggies.
So, now what to plant?
Choose your veggies according to the season. If you are not sure what to plant ask at your nearest garden centre. Remember to plant a variety so you aren’t eating spring onions or lettuce every day!
How to plant
Dig a hole the size and depth of the plant. Remember when you take your seedling out of the tray loosen up the roots as their growth has been stifled in the container. Cover the seedling with soil, pressing lightly around it. You need to space your veggies about 25cm apart so they have room to grow.
Keeping insects away naturally
Plant Marigolds in between – not only are they pretty but they keep insects away!
Mulching
Use Rooibos mulch – the mulching prevents evaporation and the Rooibos will prevent snails from eating your precious plants.
Feeding
Seagro
Feed your plants with Seagro. Use one cap in every two litres of water every two weeks – it encourages health leaf growth.
You can also use 25ml of Trelimix in 2 litres of water every week to encourage growth
Insect control
Aphids
To prevent Aphids use Margaret Roberts organic insecticide and read the instructions carefully.
Voila!
It’s done! If you are feeling creative why not paint your box your favourite colour and add even more colour to your garden or patio?
You now have your own veggie garden – organically grown – and can wander out and choose exactly what fresh veg or salad you would like for your meal.
Thinning and spacing
The seedlings can be thinned out or transplanted when they start to spread themselves. Vegetables need space to develop and they do not like competing for moisture, food and light.
With good air circulation there is less chance of disease as well. Beetroot in particular, will not develop thickened roots if they are not thinned out.
What you need:
• A wooden slatted box on legs
• Weed Guard
• LECA – for drainage
• Potting soil and Superflora Mix
• Bonemeal and Superphosphate
• Hand trowel and fork
• Vegetable and other selected seedlings
• Snapshot – weed control
• Rooibos Mulch
• Margaret Roberts organic insecticide
• Seagro and Trelimix
• Sprayer bottle and Hand Gloves
Click here for more planting tips.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Preparation
First line your box with a material called Weed Guard. It will prevent the soil falling through but still allow drainage. Staple the material to the edges of the box right up to the edge and then trim off.
Drainage
Add a 5cm layer of LECA (a clay like substance) for drainage.
Soil mixture
Potting soil and Superflora Mix– fill the box three quarters full with potting soil, then add Superflora. For every two bags of 30dm potting soil you add ten litres of Superflora Mix (two to one). Mix it thoroughly with the potting soil and the same time loosening up the soil for drainage.
Feeding
Add 60g of superphosphate and 60 g of bonemeal – about a handful. Superphosphate is a fast acting and helps root development while bonemeal will work in the long term.
Weed control
Add snapshot to stop weed growth. Sprinkle snapshot lightly over the soil and mix it in before planting your veggies.
So, now what to plant?
Choose your veggies according to the season. If you are not sure what to plant ask at your nearest garden centre. Remember to plant a variety so you aren’t eating spring onions or lettuce every day!
How to plant
Dig a hole the size and depth of the plant. Remember when you take your seedling out of the tray loosen up the roots as their growth has been stifled in the container. Cover the seedling with soil, pressing lightly around it. You need to space your veggies about 25cm apart so they have room to grow.
Keeping insects away naturally
Plant Marigolds in between – not only are they pretty but they keep insects away!
Mulching
Use Rooibos mulch – the mulching prevents evaporation and the Rooibos will prevent snails from eating your precious plants.
Feeding
Seagro
Feed your plants with Seagro. Use one cap in every two litres of water every two weeks – it encourages health leaf growth.
You can also use 25ml of Trelimix in 2 litres of water every week to encourage growth
Insect control
Aphids
To prevent Aphids use Margaret Roberts organic insecticide and read the instructions carefully.
Voila!
It’s done! If you are feeling creative why not paint your box your favourite colour and add even more colour to your garden or patio?
You now have your own veggie garden – organically grown – and can wander out and choose exactly what fresh veg or salad you would like for your meal.
Thinning and spacing
The seedlings can be thinned out or transplanted when they start to spread themselves. Vegetables need space to develop and they do not like competing for moisture, food and light.
With good air circulation there is less chance of disease as well. Beetroot in particular, will not develop thickened roots if they are not thinned out.
What you need:
• A wooden slatted box on legs
• Weed Guard
• LECA – for drainage
• Potting soil and Superflora Mix
• Bonemeal and Superphosphate
• Hand trowel and fork
• Vegetable and other selected seedlings
• Snapshot – weed control
• Rooibos Mulch
• Margaret Roberts organic insecticide
• Seagro and Trelimix
• Sprayer bottle and Hand Gloves
Click here for more planting tips.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
