There is a lot of interest around growing vegetables at the moment so I thought I would share with you a few tips on the best place to site your vegetable garden.

These few tips will help get you off to a great start with growing and harvesting your own food.

Your vegetable garden needs to:

Be in a Sunny spot. Vegetables need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day for best growth. If you have not got a site like this perhaps growing in pots and moving them to sunny spots may be an option.

Have Good fertile soil: You may have little choice concerning the soil type available to you, but all soils can be improved, or use raised beds, no- dig gardening or pot culture.

Be on relatively level ground: It is easier to prepare, plant, and irrigate level ground rather than sloping ground.

Be well-drained: Ideal but not always possible. This can be overcome with soil improvement or raised beds.

Be close to a water source: Ideally easily reached with a garden hose.

Be free from the root competition of trees and large shrubs:  Again, not always in your control if it is the neighbour’s trees that are the problem. Try digging a narrow 60cm trench on the edge of your property and lining it with a geotextile fabric, deigned to stop tree root invasion or build a raised bed and line it in the same material.

Sheltered from strong winds: If this is a problem consider planting a windbreak to shelter your vegetable garden, while you are waiting for it to grow build a frame and cover with shade cloth and place it on the side of the veggie garden where the damaging winds are coming from.

 Be close to your house: You are more likely to spend time working in your garden if you can reach it easily; it is also easier to run out and pick stuff for dinner.

Be protected from birds, domestic and feral animals: These can be one of your biggest problems when trying to protect your crop. A fully enclosed area will ensure protection from all animals and birds, but can be expensive.

A fence is a cheaper option, giving some protection from animals but not birds. But it also gives you extra vertical space as it can serve as a trellis for beans, peas, tomatoes, and other crops that need support.

This is an extract from a E pamphlet I have developed on growing annual vegetables, here is the link if you found this information helpful.