How does your Garden Grow?
Everything that any young gardener needs to know is right here, including valuable information on getting your veggie patch up and running, tools of the trade and where it should grow. There’s also information to download on planting and caring for your veggies.
Location, location 
Ask yourself:
• Where is the veggie patch going to grow?
• Is it close enough to our classroom?
• Is there enough sunlight and airflow?
Choosing the location of your veggie patch is probably the most important part of the veggie-growing process. If you don’t pick the best spot then your veggies might not grow as well as they could, or might not taste their best.
Most veggies like their home to be sunny. They also like to be out in the open to create lots of airflow. They don’t necessarily have to grow in the ground. You can grow veggies in raised garden beds, or even in old containers and wooden boxes. Hessian bags make a great home for growing potatoes.
Hint: Think about creative ways to provide shade to some parts of your veggie patch, while still allowing plenty of sunlight to other parts.
Make sure there is enough space in your veggie patch so that all young gardeners in your class can comfortably move around and that all veggies can be reached without stepping on others.
Remember: Try to think of a good spot that is close to the classroom, but away from any disturbances that come from lots of kids walking, running and playing in different areas of your school.
To help you chose the right spot just think of A.N.T.S.
• Airflow
• Nearby
• Traffic
• Sunlight
Watering 
Ask yourself:
• Are there any water restrictions in place that may affect my veggie patch?
• Can I collect any additional water somehow?
• How can we be water wise with our veggie patch?
You may be restricted with how much you can water your McCAIN School Veggie Patch with water from the tap. Some veggies may be able to grow with little water, but new seedlings, just starting out, might need more. If extra water is required, think about how you might be able to get it. For example, water collection tanks or grey-water systems.
Hint: A grey-water system collects water that can be reused that would normally go down the drain. So why not put an old ice-cream container or bucket underneath your drinking fountains and taps at school to catch additional water for your veggie patch?
Here are 10 hot tips for making sure you use water wisely:
1. Using a trigger nozzle on your hose not only saves water, but also delivers water more gently to your veggies.
2. Always mulch your veggie patch. Pea straw, lucerne hay or sugar cane mulch will not only hold moisture, but will also provide nutrition for your plants.
3. A rainwater tank is a great way to provide water to your patch without having to use tap water. Heavy rain will fill up most domestic tanks in one fall and then give you more water at hand for your veggies – which they love.
4. Shade during the heat of the summer will not only protect your plants from the most fierce sun, but will reduce evaporation too.
5. Collecting grey water from your school kitchen, canteen, drinking fountains or bathrooms is a great way to provide water to your veggie patch.
6. Your veggies don’t require constant watering once established. One or two prolonged waterings a week will make your plants search for moisture and in turn make better-developed and stronger root systems.
7. Prepare your soil with organic material, such as compost, that helps hold moisture for your plants roots.
8. Planting crops together for shading purposes will help reduce water evaporation. Also, plant veggies together that have similar watering requirements.
9. Stay on top of weeds that will compete for your plants’ water.
10. Water in the morning, and not in the heat of the day, to reduce the effects of evaporation.
Remember: Ask your teacher when you can water your veggies and find out different ways you can collect extra water around your school.
Your planting plan 
Ask yourself:
• What are we going to plant?
• When are we going to plant it?
• Who is going to maintain the veggie patch?
When starting a new veggie patch special attention needs to be given to what and when you are going to plant. Veggies are like people; some prefer cooler weather, while others like it hot. Not all vegetables can grow in all conditions all year round, so it’s important you know when to plant vegetables based on your school’s location.
Download the
When to Plant factsheet (PDF, 65KB) to see when you should plant certain veggies based on your location.
You also need to think about companion planting. That’s when you plant specific plants near each other to help them grow the best they can. There are a number of different reasons why some plants make excellent neighbours to other plants. They include:
1. Yummy Makers: some plants (herbs in particular) can pleasantly change the flavour of other plants. For example, parsley may enhance the flavour of some other vegetables including asparagus, beans, carrots and tomatoes.
2. Increased Success: planting many plants in the same area increases the odds of success. For example, plant many lettuce seeds and thin out the weaker ones as they grow.
3. Supportive Sisters: plants that grow at different heights can provide support to other plants if needed. For example, established corn can supply the support needed for climbing beans.
4. Big Brothers: one plant may act as a windbreak or provide shading and protection to neighbouring plants. For example, pumpkins can shelter beans and squash from the wind. Bigger plants, in general, will act as a windbreak for your smaller, more delicate veggies.
5. Givers: some plants produce more nitrogen than required which can come in handy to more nitrogen-hungry plants. For example, planting peas will leave plenty of nitrogen behind in the soil for tomatoes for next season.
6. The Pest Defence: some plants repel insects, weeds and diseases. Others attract pests keeping them away from your veggies. Plants that produce lots of nectar and pollen can lure in beneficial insects that help control pests. For example, the white cabbage butterfly doesn’t like dill. So planting it near cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli or brussels sprout will help keep these pesty butterflies away.
7. The Odd One Out: planting a mixture of different veggies makes it hard for fussy pests to quickly get from their favourite veggie to another. For example, celery and onion near cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprout help control the spread of the white cabbage butterfly’s caterpillars from one of your veggies to another.
Tomatoes + Basil = The Perfect Couple!
Not only is basil thought to enhance the flavour of tomatoes, but both plants also help keep pests away while attracting pollinators! Since tomato roots go deep into the ground and the basil roots do not, they don’t compete for each other’s water and can grow happily together!
Download the factsheet Companion Planting (PDF, 62KB) a full companion planting factsheet so your veggie patch can be the best it can be.
Tools and Products 
Ask yourself:
• What equipment will we need?
• Do we have all the tools and products we need?
There are certain tools and products that can help every young gardener maintain and care for their new veggie patch.
These include:
• Kid’s tool set – to help break up and turn over your soil.
• Gloves – to protect your hands.
• Portable water tank – for collecting additional water.
• Raised garden bed – as an alternative place to plant your veggies.
• Hessian bags – for growing potatoes or holding equipment.
• Watering can – to help water your plants.
• pH soil tester – so you can test the pH level of your soil.
• A wheelbarrow – helps to transport heavier things, for example, soil or mulch.
• Veggie plant identifiers – so you know which veggie is which.
• A compost bin – to store all your organic waste to make compost.
• Liquid fertilisers and soil products – to supply your veggies with the nutrition they need to grow.
• Wheelbarrow – for transporting heavier things, like soil or mulch.
• Garden nets – to protect your veggies from pests.
Note: Make sure you wear a hat on sunny days.
If you don’t have all the equipment you need, don’t worry. Have a look at the
Equipment Catalogue to see how many points you need for any of the tools and veggie patch garden supplies listed above. While you’re there, check out the McCAIN veggie seeds that are available.
Get Gardening! 
The hard part is over! Now that you have planted your McCAIN School Veggie Patch and you have the right equipment, it’s time to think about the ongoing care of your new veggies. Create a watering and fertilising plan that everyone can help out with, as well as regular working bees with students for weeding, mulching and general care of your veggies. Make sure everyone has a turn at doing everything – no one should miss out on any part of the fun of growing your own veggie patch.
Learn more about vegetables, including how to plant and care for them, as well as common pests and treatments with the help of our handy
Veggie Reference Guide (PDF, 78KB).