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A year’s supply of vegetables for two in just 20m2
Ryan Garratt and Sam Hidalgo anticipate the huge yields at Heronswood this summer
Within the grounds of Heronswood lies the Diggers mini-plot.
Comprised of four beds, it’s used to educate and inspire Australian gardeners to grow as much of their own food as possible given the limited space often available to them. The original Diggers trials were conducted by Dr Will Trueman 26 years ago. These trials were extensive and
the results recorded rigorously; from sowing date, days to harvest, through to weight of harvest. From this, the highest yield varieties were combined with the matrix planting system, and the mini-plot was born. Over the years the mini-plot has trialled other growing approaches, such as the native American concept of the Three Sisters; pumpkin, beans and corn in the one hole, with the corn growing to provide a frame for the beans to climb, and the pumpkin trailing on the ground below.
This summer we revisit the original mini-plot recipe.
Our four 5 x 1-metre beds will be planted out with our highest yield mini-plot varieties and arranged in the matrix system, giving us maximum space for plants without overcrowding.
The mini-plot, as described in The Australian Fruit & Vegetable Garden, for our climate zone will be alive and growing at Heronswood for the summer season. We look forward to rigorously recording our results and seeing how they stack up against Dr Trueman’s.
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Moon Planting
Plant Ratios for the Backyard
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Q&A - Seeds
Q&A - Soils
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Spring Gardening
Subtropical Growing Zone
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