Not so greenfingered...

Almo

Hi all,

I need help. I'm trying to get a veggie patch going in my little garden but am having no success. We have an already established lemon tree (circa 30 years old) - lovely, lots of nice lemons, but that's it. We used to live in an apartment and had herbs on our balcony, a strawberry plant, tomato, pepper and three citrus - lemon, lime and orange, all in pots. We brought the strawberry with us and it seems ok, the pepper died, the tomato died, and the citrus are still in pots as we try and decide where to put them.

We live in Oz, and the books and advice I can find here seem to assume a base knowledge that I don't have so I'm asking for your help despite the seasons being 'back to front' as I know and trust MSE.

Back in April (our autumn) we dug out a small bed up against the house, dug through compost and blood and bone, and planted carrots, leeks, spring onions, year round lettuce (all from seed) and aforementioned strawberry plant. The lettuce appeared but has done little since, and is about an inch tall, and the spring onions have appeared and done a little better, but still far off eating. The carrots and leeks show no signs of anything.

I'm assuming I need to start again - what do I need to do to get an area ready for spring planting? We dug up grass for this area, and would like to keep going with this patch which is east facing (I guess the equivalent of your west facing?) if possible. What should I dig through? How can I stop the grass runners from reappearing? What is idiot proof for me to plant?

fwor

I doubt you'll find any substitute for local knowledge - Australia is a massive country, and even if you say where you live, the conditions won't be anything like those at a corresponding latitude in the UK.

Have you checked with your local library to see if there are any gardening clubs/horticultural societies in your area?

angelavdavis

This video is based in Australia so might be of use to you. It's about permaculture, but includes information on growing vegetables too.