What Is “Succession Planting”?

Have you ever planted your spring veggies and ended up with everything maturing at the same time? And then after you’ve harvested, your garden starts looking a little bare? Most of us have been there before. But succession planting can help you with this!

How To Keep Kitchen Herbs Alive

Having fresh herbs in your kitchen is truly one of life’s pleasures in my books. There’s something about having that pop of green on the kitchen bench, and the ease of garnishing or adding flavour to your cooking is so great. But growing herbs indoors can be a little tricky, and if you’ve tried before,…

How To Plan Your Own Vegetable Garden

I love that the garden is heading back towards its roots (pun intended) of being a practical place, where even in urban spaces, our little patches of dirt can be transformed into a bountiful plot of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Providing a sustainable haven for insects and other wildlife, but also nourishing our bodies and…

5 Things: To Plant This Autumn

A few years ago, if you asked me, I would have said that once summer was over, my vegetable growing season was also over. But thankfully I have seen the light, and now my garden continues year round. Autumn is a great time to finish harvesting those summer crops, and also preparing for winter. There…

Egg Shells and Slugs

The problem with growing vegetables, is that we humans aren’t the only creatures that thinks the veggies are tasty. Unfortunately one of the creatures that often frequents my garden is the slimy, old slug. I don’t know about you, but I like to avoid using chemicals and nasty things in my garden if I can….

Growing Vegetables from Seeds

Growing vegetables from seeds is a super cost effective, and rewarding way to create your own garden. You have full control, right from the get go, of how your plants are nurtured. And it is so fun to watch your little guys start to sprout. It can be intimidating growing plants from seeds, but it…

Composting

Composting the garden is something that all gardeners do at some stage. however, making your own compost is something that many people steer clear of. Not because it is difficult or hard to do, but more that it takes patience and a little bit of a recipe. Composting is such a key part of gardening….

Growing Swiss Chard or Silverbeet

Swiss Chard. Silverbeet. Tomaytoe. Tamato. Same thing. Different name. But no matter what you call it, there is no doubt that this beautiful green leafy plant is so delicious, and so easy to grow. My Good Old Fashioned Swiss Chard and  also the Bright lights variety! And here at The Cottage Veggie Garden, I will…

Black Gold – and only the bits you need to know

Dirt. Or soil to be fancy. You put seeds in it, and your plants sit in it until they magically grow into delicious or just plain beautiful plants. Soil also provides the important thing that helps plants grow. The soil feeds the plants and the nutrients that are in the soil can determine what nutrients…

Growing Wheatgrass!

Wheatgrass is essentially a miracle plant. It is insanely easy to grow and then consume. It can be drunk in shots or added to fruit smoothies or juices, and the nutritional benefits are amazing! There is a lot of debate over HOW good wheatgrass actually is for you (1shot=1kg of veggies??), but what everyone can…