Have your garden and eat it

Have your garden

and eat it

Everyone has that one patch of lawn that is a waste of space, or not optimally used. There is, however, a practical solution at hand that not only will turn that space into something fulfilling and productive, but also make a contribution to a greener and more sustainable world. The owner of Soil Scopes, Wesley Soule tells us all about it.

Wesley Soule Wesley Soule

Having garden space with a lawn is normal these days but it never used to be. Back in earlier centuries, the only people who could afford lawns were wealthy landowners. It was a form of status. Later, as the shift to convenience stores and modern agriculture started, the popularity of lawns grew and often the lawns replaced previously productive vegetable and fruit gardens, which people looked after to grow food sustainably and sometimes sell when they had abundant harvests.

As more people begin to realise the problem with the way our food is grown, coupled with rising prices at the stores, there has been a resurgence in home gardening to provide food.

Here’s how to achieve this

Select your spot – Converting an unused lawn area into a productive space requires ample sunlight. Consider the locations available in your garden, does that area get enough sunlight? First, consider which direction the sun rises and sets.

South-facing is usually recommended but what about the trees around your property? Consider the shade cast by trees and whether the south facing space gets enough light. Aim to have at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light on a summer's day to maximise your productivity.

Design the beds – Raised beds are easier to work with as they give you control of the height of the bed which means less bending down. Consider the size of your beds based on your space and budget, the wood material is often the most expensive part of the process.

Also, consider what material you plan to use; wood or metal are the most common. Wood is often more affordable but won't last as long. Beware of treated wood which contains potentially harmful compounds that affect the soil health or untreated wood which will not last many seasons; lining the inside of the wood with plastic will prevent these issues.

When creating your design be sure to leave space to walk between beds and keep the width of the beds' something that you can reach across to make gardening easier.

Fill the beds – Filling your raised beds with bought compost becomes very expensive, so consider this solution: Using a variety of organic matter can provide long-term nutrients to the soil as well as fill the raised beds. Things like rotting logs, leaves, sticks, grass or other general garden waste should be added to the bottom of the bed before you add your compost.

Fill only the top 20% with your compost as the starting place for your plants. The organic material below will break down slowly and provide long-term nutrients for your soil. After the first season, the level of your raised bed will decrease but you can always top it up when needed. Take care of your soil and your soil will take care of your plants. Planting – This is the fun part! Sowing seeds or buying seedlings are great ways to get the raised beds looking green and luscious. When selecting what crops to grow consider a few things, seasonality, if the crop grows well in your area and watering requirements.

Consider a mix of quick-growing lettuces and herbs along with some slower-growing crops like carrots and leeks. Having a constant supply of food is extremely rewarding.

Lastly, experiment! Try crops you haven't grown before and enjoy the experience of watching something grow you've never seen before.

Turning your old worn-out lawn into a productive garden space is simple. Growing healthy food while spending time outside will improve your mental and physical health. So what are you waiting for?