How to make your vegie patch more sustainable

Improve water conservation

Edible plants, especially vegetables, depend on a regular and even supply of moisture to ensure a high-quality harvest. To make the delivery of water as efficient as possible, consider installing a drip irrigation system that operates in the late afternoon or early morning, to soak the soil deeply before the evaporative effects of the sun kick in. Maintaining a soil cover of organic mulch (for example, straw, leaves or compost) helps to retain the moisture in the soil for longer. When growing thirsty crops such as sweetcorn, where possible, time your planting to periods when you can expect reliable rainfall. Finally, consider investing in a rainwater tank to collect the rain that falls onto your roof. It will significantly reduce your dependency on municipal water sources.

Save seeds

Save seeds from your vegetables to preserve heirloom varieties and reduce the need to purchase new seeds each season. Raising your own seed at home also means you can re-use punnets and pots again and again, and it reduces the need to hop in the car and drive across town to buy seedlings.

Incorporate perennials in your patch

Most of the vegies we grow are annuals that demand a fair amount of inputs and attention in their short growing period. Perennial edibles such as asparagus, globe artichoke and rhubarb develop a larger root system and, as a result, are often less needy and more resilient to environmental pressures. And they can provide a return for many years. Other perennials worth considering include Jerusalem artichoke, choko, scarlet runner beans, garlic chives, Egyptian walking onions, perennial leeks, watercress, Brazilian spinach, Lebanese cress and warrigal greens.

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