How to build a veggie garden in your Canberra home this winter
There are two things every Canberran should know. You don’t turn your heater on until Anzac Day and you don’t plant your tomatoes until Melbourne Cup day.
At least that’s according to Tim Corby, the development manager for the Googong township, who is also responsible for overseeing the suburb’s landscaping.
We’re well and truly into the frosty mornings that arguably make Canberra famous in winter. And while I find them endearing at first, there comes a time I begin counting down the days to spring.
With the warmer season on our minds, it’s also time to start thinking about preparing our gardens. But this year it feels different. The cost of living is rising, and the price of fruit and vegetables is rising sharply. Not to mention, sustainable living options seem more appealing than ever.
Corby has some tips on how to start that veggie patch in Canberra.
“It’s really important that you get your aspect right and choose a spot for your vegetable garden that gets the most sun during the day – at least six hours,” explains Corby.
“I find that with any good landscape design, it’s best to sit in your home for a few months to work out things like where the shadows are, whether there are any wind tunnelling effects, whether the rain blows in a certain way but is shielded by next door’s roof line. Things you might not be able to anticipate until you live them.”
Once you’ve chosen the area, Corby recommends that rather than digging down into the dirt and working hard to amend the soil you have, build it up instead.
“It’s much easier for a number of reasons. We have a lot of heavy clay content in our ground around Canberra, which isn’t ideal for growing vegetables,” explains Corby.
“Water and roots don’t move through it well, it’s difficult to unlock nutrients and hard to dig. So, rather than trying to transform that soil, it’s much easier to purchase a nutrient-dense soil mix and pour it directly on top.”
Having a raised vegetable garden also makes it easier for anyone to tend to it, no matter their age.
“It’s a very intense project that requires a lot of care, so raising the garden makes it much easier than having to bend down to ground level. I’d also recommend trying to keep it closer to the door if possible, so it’s more accessible. It also makes it easy to run out and pick some fresh herbs or greens while you’re cooking.”
Next on Corby’s list of considerations is water.
“There are a few different styles of watering, but I like to use a combination of micro-sprays and drip lines,” says Corby.
Local hardware and landscape supply shops can assist with your watering requirements and biologically, organic alternatives to keep your garden healthy.
Those with limited space to work within, like a balcony or courtyard, will be happy to hear that so long as the aspect is in the sun, the same varieties of vegetables can be grown there as in a garden.
“Things like herbs and tomatoes grow really well in pots,” says Corby.
“But I’d recommend getting something like a modular planter box. They come ready-made and make it easy to grow all sorts of veggies on your balcony. Some really satisfying and rewarding ones include zucchini and cucumbers.”
However, Corby emphasises that sunlight is still the most crucial element.
“If your aspect isn’t great, I’d suggest looking into a garden plot instead. Googong, for example, is a five-star green star-rated community, with various community gardens. You can enter into an arrangement with a community garden club and rent a plot for a year or so,” Corby says.
If you’re a rookie, Corby suggests holding off until the springtime before preparing your garden. However, if you’re up for a challenge, there are a few vegetables that can be planted at this time of year.
“Potato, onion and other vegetables that take longer to grow are good to plant now, along with green vegetables like broccoli, peas and snow peas.”
Check out these new developments ripe for a veggie garden:
Jumping Creek
Vegetable gardens, pools, and entertaining areas – the outdoor options are endless at the enormous blocks of land available at Jumping Creek.
Out here, enveloped by nature, it feels like your own corner of the world and only minutes from the city.
Price: $600,000 +
Agent: Ian McNamee & Partners Queanbeyan/Jerrabomberra/Canberra, 0428 416 414
Googong Land
Build your dream home in the most family-friendly of locations.
Googong is a township where neighbours know each other by name, families barbecue together at the local parks, and weekends are spent enjoying the natural surroundings.
Agent: Googong Township Realty, 1300 446 646
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