Back in 2020, Melbourne mum Yen Nguyen never imagined a simple zucchini would spark an “addiction” that would change the way she lived. The mum-of-two started a garden with the simple aim of helping her young family eat better.
Now, the avid gardener and frequent Bunnings shopper has an abundant, thriving garden and is passionate about teaching others to do the same. She candidly admits to Yahoo Lifestyle that she found the project “overwhelming” as a beginner.
But one gardening bed “quickly became six” and then she grew her life-changing zucchini — a whopping green squash almost as tall as her young daughter.
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“Needless to say it’s now an addiction,” Yen said.
“Gardening forces me to slow down and find calm in a fast-paced chaotic life.”
How can I grow a garden that can feed my family?
Being able to feed your family with produce you’ve grown yourself sounds like a dream for many of us.
And yet, new research conducted by Lonergan reveals that one in three Aussies lack confidence in their gardening skills.
One in five aren’t even sure if their plants are thriving or not.
Picture the scene. You popped to Bunnings and got all excited in the plant section, only to get your gorgeous new green thing home and watch it slowly die.
Sound familiar?
Having been there and done it, Yen knows just how daunting it is.
But she said it doesn’t need to be that difficult.
“Honestly, the biggest game changer is understanding that plants grow from the ground up, so soil prep really matters,” Yen told Yahoo Lifestyle.
The Melbourne mum said if your soil is healthy and “full of nutrients”, you will find your plants are “stronger, more resillient and full of nutrients”.
“Think of it as feeding the soil so the soil can feed your plants then those nutrient dense plants feed you,” she said.
Yen is a fan of Scotts’ Organic range – everything from the brand’s Organic Plant Food to its Soil Improver and Potting Mix. And it’s available for just $16 in Bunnings.
“It makes it easy to grow produce that’s free from pesticides and chemicals, just as nature intended,” Yen said.
She’s said once your soil was prepped, there were some simple steps to follow.
Firstly, Yen — who documents her progress on Instagram @firsttrueleaves — said gardeners should “grow with the seasons and not against them”.
The Melbourne mum has harvested a range of vegetables from her backyard. Picture: @firsttrueleaves
“It’s tempting to plant whatever you feel like, but if you choose crops that actually suit the time of year, they’ll reward you with faster, healthier growth and less stress for you,” she said.
The gardener recommended researching your climate and being guided by nurseries in your local area.
“And finally, don’t make things harder than they need to be,” Yen said.
“If growing from seed feels overwhelming, skip that step and start with seedlings.
“It’s such a confidence booster to see them take off quickly, and it keeps the joy in gardening rather than frustration.”
All very well and good, but isn’t it just possible to choose an unkillable plant?
“I don’t think there’s such a thing as a truly unkillable plant — every plant has its needs, and if you ignore it long enough it will eventually struggle,” Yen admitted.
“But there are definitely some plants that are much more forgiving and rewarding for beginners.”
‘Easy wins’ for edible gardening beginners
When it comes to veggies, Yen suggested starting with “easy wins” such as her beloved zucchini, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, and pumpkins.
“When planted in the right season, they grow quickly, don’t need too much fussing, and give you a big, visible payoff,” Yen said.
“Seeing flowers turn into fruit or veggies within weeks is such a confidence boost.”
She also said that if you’re open to herbs, choices like mint, parsley and chives are “incredibly resilient”.
And for the many Aussies who don’t have a big garden to grow in, Yen has some more tips.
“If you’re starting out in a small space, keep it simple,” she said.
Your first consideration should be soil.
“The easiest way is to buy a bag of good quality potting mix and add in some compost and/or manure — that way you know your plants are starting in nutrient-rich soil.
She said this can be added on top of an existing garden bed, a large pot or planter.
Next you need to think about sunlight.
“Most veggies need at least six hours of direct sun a day, so pick the brightest spot you’ve got,” Yen said.
After that, Yen said “water is key”.
“Plants don’t like drying out, so aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy,” she said.
Finally, Yen suggested thinking about how to make the most of the space you have.
“You can grow upwards with a trellis for tomatoes or cucumbers, or even hang baskets for strawberries and herbs,” the gardener said.
“Choose your plants for the season and climate and plant out.
“Ensure you feed your plant and soil every couple weeks.
“Once you’ve got these basics sorted — good soil and food, enough sun, regular water, and clever use of space — you’ll be surprised how much you can grow, even in the tiniest garden.”
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