Renowned Australian author and gardening columnist Jackie French has distilled a lifetime of horticultural wisdom into a straightforward guide, perfect for novices who might be struggling with their first crop. Writing from her own experience of early failures, French emphasises that successful gardening, like any skill, requires learning the fundamentals first.
The Core Principles: Water, Feed, and Observe
French's journey began with a failed bean crop at age 18, a mistake she attributes to a simple lack of knowledge about basic plant care. She points out that while few would attempt to knit a sock or service a car without guidance, many assume gardening knowledge is instinctive. The cornerstone of her advice is a disciplined approach to watering. For new trees or shrubs, she recommends watering once a day for a week, once a week for a month, and then once a month for a year.
For vegetables and flowers, the schedule depends on the heat: water daily if the maximum temperature exceeds 24 degrees Celsius, every two days between 15-24 degrees, and weekly or when soil is dry in cooler weather. A key tip is to watch for leaves that are still drooping at dusk, a sure sign the plant needs a drink.
Smart Planting and Natural Solutions
When it comes to planting, French advises digging a hole twice the size of the plant's roots and avoiding planting altogether if a heatwave over 32 degrees is forecast. She is a strong advocate for using thick mulch, at least 30 centimetres deep, to suppress weeds and retain moisture. She even shares a clever, possum-deterring tip: planting parsley and buttercrunch lettuce under the sprawling leaves of zucchini, which the marsupials tend to avoid.
Feeding is another critical area. Commercial slow-release fertiliser is safest for beginners, while home-made compost is hailed as the "best tucker" for a delicious harvest. French warns that over-fertilising is a common killer, and all fertilisers should be "watered in" to prevent root burn. Plants communicate their needs, she notes; yellowing older leaves typically cry out for more food.
Learning from Experience and Local Knowledge
French underscores that gardening should be easy, fun, and economical. The solution to most problems, from pest identification to nutrient deficiencies, is readily available through apps, books, or local garden clubs. She encourages new gardeners to see what thrives in their neighbourhood and to follow planting instructions carefully.
In a personal anecdote from her own garden, she notes that a spindly, neglected tomato seedling bore fruit first, while the well-fed plants focused initially on lush foliage. This, she suggests, is a lesson in plant survival instincts. Currently, she is picking surplus lemons, avocados, and oranges to save the trees' moisture and planning future plantings of beans, lettuce, and corn.
Ultimately, Jackie French's guide is a call to embrace gardening as a learned joy. By mastering the simple rules of watering, feeding, and smart planting, anyone can cultivate a productive and rewarding patch, saving money and enjoying the fruits of their labour across all seasons.
