Frequently Asked Veggie Questions

Whether you are an old hand or a starter gardener, when it comes to growing veggies, there are always questions. Once the basics are out of the way (how much sun, water, fertiliser, etc) other frequently asked questions reveal all the interesting ins and outs of veggie gardening. Can I use grey water on my veggies? What do I do about brown blotches on the veggie leaves? How do I get rid of snails? Can I make my own potting mix? And more. Just answering all the questions could fill several books.

Back To Basics

What Do Veggies Need?

Full sun in winter and shelter from the wind. At least six hours of sun in summer, preferably morning sun and afternoon shade.

The area should be as level as possible. It’s easier to work and you won’t have problems with water runoff. A slight slope is not a problem but rather terrace a steep slope. Be close to a tap for easy watering.

Veggies like fertile soil that drains well. Lighten heavy clay soil by adding compost and other organic material and carbon-based soil conditioners. Very sandy soil also needs compost and other organics to help it retain water.

When is the best time to plant veggies?

The two main planting seasons are spring (September, October, November) and autumn (March, April, May). Seed packets will give the best time to sow and days until harvest to help with your planning. The weather plays a role, but working around the harvest date will be your best guide. The last sowing in autumn should be three to four weeks before the first frost, usually the end of May. The safest time to sow in spring is after the last frost, around 15 September.

How do I work out how much to plant?

Sit the family down and list the vegetables you eat each season and how often you would like to eat them. The maximum is probably three portions per vegetable a week but in some cases, it could be less for veggies like carrots, or more in the case of tomatoes. This allows you to work out how much to plant and subsequent succession sowings.

What is succession sowing?

For a regular supply of vegetables, phase your annual crops so that you have a continuous harvest and not a series of sudden gluts. For most crops this means planting a third of the row or bed allocated to the crop, wait two to four weeks and plant another third, and finally the last section two or four weeks later.

READ MORE: Cruciferous Craze – Vegetables for Health

Can I use grey water?

Yes, you can, as long as you use eco-friendly detergents, shampoo etc, that are bio-degradable, with low or
no sodium, sodium laureth sulphate (foaming agent) chloride and boron.

Grey water does however contain pathogens (bacteria). The safest is to use it only for vegetables that will be peeled or cooked. Always wash vegetables thoroughly in fresh water before cooking. Most suitable veggies for greywater include squashes, melons, brinjals, tomatoes, green beans, runner beans, beetroot, carrots, onions, sweet corn, broccoli, peas and parsnips.

What is the best way to water my veggies?

• Water around the base of the plant, at root level, and keep the leaves dry, which helps to prevent fungal diseases.
• Consider drip irrigation but only if veggies with similar water needs are grouped together and are on the same system.
• Hand water rather than use sprinklers which waste water because of the run-off.
• Sink plastic cool drink bottles, or 20cm pots into the ground next to veggies and fill those using a watering can.
• Well-spaced plants are more drought-resistant because there is more space for the roots to look for water.
• Raised beds retain water better than normal garden beds.
• Cover the soil with a light mulch which reduces evaporation and keeps the soil moist for longer.

How often should I water?

The unhelpful answer (for beginners) is… that depends! Because it does depend on the season, the temperature, the soil and even the situation. Most veggies like consistently moist soil, but not too wet and not bone dry. Do not judge the moisture in the soil by just looking at it. Stick your finger deeply into the soil and feel. If the soil is still moist, delay watering by a day. If you can’t even push your finger into the soil, it is too dry and too compact. By doing the finger test you can work out for yourself how much and when the garden should be watered.

Is deep watering better than shallow watering?

Seedlings and shallow-rooted veggies (leafy greens, beans, radishes, beetroot, etc) need watering more often but not as deeply. Deeper rooted veggies (fruiting veggies and squashes) should be well watered until they are established and then watering can be reduced to deep watering less often. However, do increase watering when plants are flowering and setting fruit. Once the fruit is set, watering can be reduced again.

Growing veggies in containers

A great solution for limited space and a way to monitor your water usage!

What containers are suitable for veggies?

Any container will do as long as it has sufficient drainage holes and sufficient space for roots and top growth. The bigger the container the better because it holds more growing mix and won’t dry out as quickly.

What is the best position?

Like all veggies, container-grown veggies need at least six hours of sunshine, preferably morning sun as afternoon sun is too harsh. Don’t place them too close to a wall, especially a west-facing wall. Make sure there is good air circulation. This reduces pests and disease.

How many plants do I plant in a container?

Planting too many plants in a small pot reduces yield, increases pest and disease problems. Here is a guide:

• Broccoli, cabbage, kale – one plant per large plastic pot (35 – 43cm diameter). Baby cabbage can be grown in 20 – 35cm pots.
• Spinach, lettuce – one plant per 20 – 35cm plastic pot or three plants in a 50cm pot or trough. Space 10cm apart.
• Baby carrots, radishes, beetroot – directly sow seed into troughs, window boxes or pots that are at least 20cm deep. Thin to 10cm apart.

What soil mix should I use?

Use the best quality potting soil, not ordinary garden soil. Commercial potting soil has plenty of organic material for good drainage, but not enough nutrition for vegetables. Mix your own by combining good quality potting soil, home-made compost, and agricultural lime (also called dolomitic lime) for added calcium and magnesium. Add in a sustained release fertiliser, like the VITA Grow 2:3:2(16) or Vigolonger. Earthworm castings (Fertilis) is a great optional extra.

Pests and diseases – the bane of our life

Can I avoid spraying for pests and diseases?

To a large extent diseases can be prevented by the way you garden. However, during prolonged rainy weather plants become susceptible to fungal diseases and pests hit their breeding peak in summer. When pest and disease control is unavoidable, opt for organic or biological solutions that are more nature friendly.

How can I cultivate healthier vegetables that are disease-and-pest-resistant?

• Don’t plant too closely together. There should be enough space between plants for good air circulation. This helps leaves dry off quickly, and insects are less likely to congregate.
• Water at root level and minimise wet leaves. Don’t over-water either.
• Build healthy soil with compost, carbon-based soil conditioners, like EcoBuz HumiGro, and organic fertilisers that supply micro- and macro-nutrients (nitrogen, potassium and phosphates).
• Strengthen plants to withstand stress, pest infestation and disease with the application of silica-based plant drenches, like StartGro. Silica hardens and strengthens plant cells and helps the plant circulate nutrients more effectively, resulting in a healthy plant that is less likely to be targeted by pests.
• Plant green manures that add nutrients to the soil or inhibit soil pests.
• Attract beneficial predatory insects and pollinators through companion planting as well as using plants that deter or repel pests.

READ MORE: Variety is the spice of life! Learn more about colourful vegetables here