Food gardening

Food gardening gives you fresh, healthy food at your fingertips and can help you save money on your grocery bill. Find out how to get started.

Food gardening, like all gardening, is a practical way for everyone to help create a cooler, greener and wilder metropolitan South Australia.

Spring is the perfect time of year to plant a food garden – after the cold winter weather is behind us, but before the weather gets too hot.

We've created the perfect recipe for your food garden, complete with all the ingredients and tips you need for a successful edible planting season.

Parsley, sage, thyme, mint and chives in a wooden raised bed. Credit: TG23, iStock.
Herbs in a raised garden bed. Credit: TG23, iStock.

Ingredients

Food gardening: An overview

Save money, eat more nutritious food, connect with and help look after nature – could the reasons for food gardening be any better?

When to plant

Discover the right time of year to plant your favourite edibles.

Share food

Edible gardens provide a range of benefits, including the ability to share your freshly grown produce.

Eat local food

Check out the benefits of local and seasonal produce.

Method

5 ways to save money by using less water on your garden

Growing your own food can be a great way to save money – but you’ve got to be smart about it. Saving water plays a big part. Find out how.

5 easiest vegetables to grow in your garden now

Keen to grow your own vegetables but want it to be as little effort as possible? The plants you choose can make all the difference.

9 vegetables best grown from seed

It’s a little-known fact that some plants – despite their availability as seedlings – are better grown from seed. Find out which ones.

Simple tips for first-time planting seeds

Get started planting seeds in your new veggie garden.

Crops in pots: the best veggies to grow in small spaces

Don't have a lot of room for your edible garden? We've compiled our top veggies to grow in small spaces.

7 veggies to grow to get the most bang for your buck

Need your edible garden to work out? Discover which veggies can help make the most of your money.

3 herbs to take cuttings from – and how

Expand your food garden the cheapest way possible – by growing from cuttings.

5 tips for an economical veggie patch

Learn how to take a cost-saving approach to your vegetable patch.

4 ways to attract beneficial bugs

Sometimes it feels like we spend a lot of time trying to keep bugs out of our garden, when actually it is useful to have some bugs around.

How to compost and why it’s beneficial to food crops

Compost has great benefits for your garden. Find out what they are and learn how to compost.

9 vegetable and herb seedlings to plant this spring

Ready to dive into gardening with some seedlings? Discover the best varieties to get you started.

5 easy steps for planting new seedlings

There’s a few simple steps to follow when planting vegetable seedlings in your garden. Here’s everything you need to know.

5 herbs and flowers to grow for your own tea garden

Looking for a unique spin on food gardening? Planting a tea garden might be right up your alley.

Vegetables that you and your dog can enjoy

While fresh veggies are excellent for our health, there are some that are not so good for our dogs. Discover how to create a dog-safe veggie patch.

Everything you need to know about food gardening

Last year's food gardening series generated some great questions. See if we've answered yours.

7 food gardening fails – and how to avoid them

Sprung into food gardening with great gusto but now having issues? You're not alone. Discover some common fails and how you can avoid them next time.

How to save vegetable seeds to grow food

Saving vegetable seeds is a great way to save cash – if you do it right, you can turn one crop or store-bought vegetable into a lifetime’s supply!

Enjoying your feast

Building your community with food sharing

Food brings people together, and your edible garden can bring a range of benefits in connection with nature and people.

Serving suggestion

Have a food garden you're especially proud of? Share it with us to feature below!

Image of pallets and pots with veggies in them

Hungry for more?

Check out our gardening hub for more tips on growing your green-thumb abilities.

Gardening hub