Auckland Botanic gardens

Whether we live on acres of land or in a high-rise city apartment, all of us can grow a few delicious veggies or culinary herbs. And whether you end up with a bumper harvest or something more modest, growing food in your garden or windowsill is fun and proven to be good for your well-being, so give it a go.

Here are our five steps for getting started and boosting your chances of success, from planting to watering.

1. Find a spot

When creating a vegetable garden, the first step is finding the right spot. While the optimal amount of sun will vary from plant to plant, most herbs or small veggies need between four and six hours of sunlight a day. So steer clear of shadowy areas or damp corners and find somewhere light, dry and sheltered from the elements. If your cosy apartment balcony doesn’t quite fit the bill, smaller herbs and veggies can flourish on kitchen windowsills. 

2. Pick your plants

Now it’s time to pick your plants. While you may be crazy about blackcurrants or love apricots, a smart gardener knows not all plants will thrive in Auckland’s conditions. Luckily for you, we’ve done all the guessing and testing, collating a list of the best edible plants for our region’s climate. Star performers include basil, oregano, tomato and lettuce, why not explore our full list star performers?

3. Healthy soil

Healthy soil makes for healthy and happy plants, so it's worthwhile spending a little time getting it right. The ideal soil is dark and crumbly, rich in minerals and has a neutral pH level. If you’re working with a backyard or grassed area, your first step is to identify the type of soil, whether it’s clay, loam or sandy, You can add necessary minerals or organic matter like compost to improve the quality of your soil. Sounds confusing? Go and talk to the experts. If you’re starting from a grass-less spot like a balcony or tiled patio, make sure you fill raised beds and pots with high-grade bagged garden soil that is compatible with Auckland conditions and add a fertiliser such as sheep pellets or blood and bone. 

4. Water thoroughly rather than often
   

If two parts of the puzzle are sun and soil, water is the final piece for a thriving veggie patch. Unsure of how much water is too much? Just remember the simple rule from our resident expert, Jack Hobbs; don’t water too often, but when you do, make it thorough. You want the soil to be damp but not drowned, so water in slow increments until the water begins to pool on the surface.

5. Still feeling lost?

Got questions, qualms or queries? Whether you’re uncertain if silverbeet suits your balcony environment or can’t tell loam from clay soil, we’re here to make your edible garden a walk in the park. Pop in for a visit and chat with our resident garden gurus, or read through the easy-to-use online leaflets and resources on our edibles advice page or visit our Edible Garden for live examples of what you can do and grow at home. 

Good luck and happy growing!