My Veggie Garden Story: Phoebe + Banjo Take Brisbane
Banjo and I in my first Brisbane veggie garden, with a harvest of spring onions
I’m currently creating a new online workshop called Grow2Cook for newbies wanting to grow their own veggies at home. One part of the workshop I’m so excited about is interviewing local people around South East Queensland who already grow their own veggies as inspiration!
In the spirit of sharing, I’ve put my own veggie story through the Q+A too. I’ve grown veggies across two different Brisbane gardens (all overseen by my adored dog, Banjo)! I’ve included the photos of the organic tomatoes, carrots and broccoli I grew last year at my inner city Brisbane cottage where I had a 10 metre long garden bed. I’ve also included the photos from my current garden - I moved to a house with a much smaller garden and courtyard, so I’m using raised garden beds for the first time and I’m growing lots of leafy greens. Check out my veggie-growing backstory below!
The veggies I grew in my first Brisbane garden: I had a large garden bed where spring onions, tomatoes and carrots all featured (above)
My Veggie Garden Story: 10 Questions with Phoebe Grealy
#1 Where do you live?
I live in inner city Brisbane. I’ve grown veggies across two different houses so far - one had a super large garden bed and I had no limits! My current house has a much smaller garden and courtyard so I’ve really had to be more thoughtful about what I want to grow the most because space (and sunlight) is limited.
#2 How long have you been growing veggies? How did you get into growing your own?
I started growing veggies in around 2012, so 11 years now. The first things I grew were a whole heap of herbs that I bought as seedlings. A big motivator for me is that I’m a food lover and environmentalist - not only does homegrown food taste so good, but I also get to ensure that no pesticides will ever come near my food. I was very confused about the process as a newbie, but now that I have clarity, I find growing my own veggies so enjoyable.
#3 How did you learn to grow them?
My Grandparents (who my business Salisbury Grange is named after), grew their own veggies in the backyard of their Salisbury garden for many decades. I was influenced by them and I wish I had asked them for some lessons because it would have saved me so much time! I basically learned by trial and error and having a go myself. I also read lots of books, watched shows (like Chef’s Table where heaps of top chefs grow their own amazing produce) and get inspired by seeing lots of people grow their own on Instagram.
#4 What’s your garden situation? How many veggies do you usually plant?
I currently have about 5 raised garden beds and each one can fit in about 6-8 seedlings. I usually grow one vegetable per planter box. I’ve currently got lettuce in one, rocket in one, spinach in one, basil in one and watercress in one. I tried growing carrots and it didn't really work out in the planter boxes. I grow all my own seedlings which I grow on a table on my balcony!
#5 Do you have any rituals around planting veggies?
When it comes to veggies I am waiting all year for it to get to autumn because I think this is the best time of year to plant veggies in Brisbane. I usually plant lots of rainbow chard, tomatoes and cavolo nero kale in autumn. Because I am efficient/lazy my ritual is to do everything on one day - I will plant all my seeds on one day and then a month later I will plant them all into the garden beds on one day. I also water every afternoon and find it relaxing!
Veggies growing in my current veggie garden on my balcony in Brisbane - I grow seedlings on a table on my balcony and lots of leafy greens in 5 raised garden beds (above)
Rapid Fire!
#6 New vegetable you want to grow? I want to experiment with lots of beautiful beans and different types of heirloom tomatoes.
#7 Flower patch or veggie patch? I want both, but I would have to say veggies by a hair.
#8 Any growing calamities? Possums just recently ate all my veggies, which I had grown from seedlings. Argh! It’s never happened to me before and I had to take the advice I give others.
#9 Who is your veggie garden inspo? I love Sam and Wild Violet Farm and Paquita Romano’s beautiful garden set up.
#10 What’s next for your garden in general? I’m growing some new dahlias in my raised garden beds/planters and I really hope it works out!
Banjo in I in my current veggie garden/courtyard - it’s surprising how much you can still grow in a small place and in pots.
Out the front of my inner city cottage getting ready to post off some of my first orders for Salisbury Grange!
Looking for more information? Check out my take on Spring Vegetables To Plant Now In Brisbane and When To Plant Tomatoes In Brisbane.