WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Edible plants tend to be thirsty, but it is possible to grow healthy, flavoursome veggies without over-taxing your water supply

- Karen Booth

There’s no way around it. Vegetable gardens are water guzzlers, especially in the early stages when young plants are working hard to become established. Even after that, edible plants need lots of water, not to mention sun, which has a tendency to cause water to evaporate! That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t use your water wisely — even conserve water — when growing veggies.

“Whether your veggie garden is in-ground or above ground, it’s all about getting the basics right,” says Steve Warner, landscape designer and director of OUTHOUSE design. “The best way to have a waterwise veggie patch is by ensuring your plants have all they need to thrive, so they don’t have to rely solely on the water you give them.

“Hardy plants become hardy because they’re gaining support from multiple sources, such as the nutrients, microbes and minerals in the soil,” Steve adds, “so you need to create a complete package of support services, which includes water, if you want a healthy and productive veggie patch. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t build a house on bad foundations, so set up your veggie patch for success with the right soil foundation.”

Glenice Buck, horticulturist and founder of Glenice Buck Designs, agrees good soil prep is key. “You need to ensure the soil has a high level of organic matter prior to planting out your vegetables. Vegetables need to draw on the organic matter to form their crops; also, a high level of organic matter will ensure that the soil has a good water-holding capacity.”