How to grow a super successful veggie garden

First things first, decide what you want to grow. Think about the herbs and vegetables you like to eat and use often, or those at the supermarket that are usually expensive or difficult to get hold of.

Planting

If you're planting directly into the soil, raise the soil level in the bed by adding compost and manure. This will provide nutrients and improve drainage. If you're using a raised bed or containers with drainage holes, that should be sufficient.  

If you only have room for pots, get the largest you can manage and fill them with good quality potting mix. Put them in the sunniest and most wind-sheltered spot you have. Growing a garden in containers

Growing

• Nutrients will leach out of the soil over time, so make sure to top up with compost when replanting.
• Include some insect-friendly flowers and herbs to help your plants produce crops in a short period of time.
• Try these easy, fast-growing vegetables to get started.
• Water your plants regularly and consistently. Add liquid fertiliser a couple of times a month.  
• Always follow the spacing guidelines suggested on the pack you bought your seeds or seedlings in.
• Grow your tomatoes in a hanging basket!
• Harvest regularly to keep your plants producing. This especially applies to cucumbers, zucchini, and peas.
• Choose plant varieties that match the growing conditions of the soil and garden. Read the directions from the seed packets you have bought to know the recommended sowing times.  
• Plants that are slow growing or take up a lot of space include: asparagus, Brussels sprouts, pumpkins, potatoes (although you can harvest them as new potatoes) parsnips, and leeks.
• Plants that grow well in small spaces include beans, peas, radishes, spring onions, rocket, beetroot, any climbing fruit or veg, and dwarf crops.
• If you have no room for veggies outside, start an indoor edible garden
• You could also try growing fruit and veg with your kids

See the Vegetable and Herb Planting Guide from All The Dirt for what to plant, and when.