- Instead of jumping straight in, first consider your space. Research rainfall, check out what your neighbours are growing, and look for possibly microclimates around the place that offer shade, protection, or a particularly sunny spot.
- Make a note of existing plants and what might be a problem.
- Look at what tools you’ll need to maintain your garden.
- If renting, talk to your landlord about what they expect you to do, and what changes you’re allowed to make. Take photos of how it was when you moved in, so you can return it to how you found it later on.
- If you can’t dig into the soil, raised containers offer lots of benefits: you can control the soil and drainage better, you can avoid potentially contaminated soil, and you can move smaller containers as the light changes through the seasons. Sophie has been given permission to set up some wicking beds, and will scatter grass seed to replace the lawn when she leaves. She has collected some old washing machine cylinders to contain larger plants; self-watering pots are also good.
- Cluster small pots together so you can water them all at once.
- A simple, temporary structure such as a trellis or pot stand can add instant decoration and become a practical way or growing plants, too.
- Think about how long it takes to grow plants from seedling to harvest; if you plan to move during the growing season, use portable containers that you can take with you.
- Focus on fast-growing crops such as silverbeet, lettuce, kale and Asian greens; most will grow all year round in a sunny position.
- Include flowers for colour and to bring in beneficial bugs.
- If your plot is full of weeds, don’t waste time and energy trying to remove them all, simply contain them as best you can by removing flower heads before they set seed, and trimming back invasive grasses and climbers.
| KALE | Brassica oleracea cv. |
| LETTUCE | Lactuca sativa cv. |
| SILVERBEET | Beta vulgaris cv. |
| GREEK BASIL | Ocimum cv. |