Vegetable garden plant vitality tips

Vegetable garden plant vitality is at the heart of all striving for a consistently productive and healthy organic garden and yet it is a concept that is not really discussed. I feel this is because it represents the synergy of many factors in the practice of growing vegetables, herbs and edible flowers.

Plants with high vitality will:

• Grow to their ideal life cycle

• Be more capable of withstanding climate extremes and diseases

• Have minimal impact from insects and animals that consume crops

• Have higher nutrient density, better storage qualities, and more robust seeds.

• Taste exquisite

In my experience of operating a biodynamic vegetable garden in Samford area for 30 years, synergy of the following key factors creates high vegetable garden plant vitality;

1. Design of vegetable garden space – Sufficient sun over the year, good airflow, sufficient and good quality water, appropriate drainage, little or no tree roots, ease of access, biodiversity and beauty weaved into the space.

2. Soil management – Consistent focus on building soil carbon as the habitat for soil life to thrive. Mineralisation through living processes, composting, green manure, biologically active liquid manures, adopting minimal tillage and covering soil to reduce soil compaction and carbon loss.

3. Plant management – Choose the right crops for your climate and time of year, localise your seeds through seed saving, companion planting, inter-cropping to increase yield, create micro-climates and use flowers for biodiversity and beauty

4. Potentising life processes – All of the above provide a platform for a healthy food growing area, however, consciously potentising life processes is the quintessence or “icing on the cake” in achieving high vegetable garden plant vitality. These are my pathways in our biodynamic garden:

• Incorporate biodynamic preparations into soil and plant management

• Weave planetary rhythms into the timing of garden activities

• Raise observation skills and strive for an ideal state of mind whilst gardening

• Bring beauty into the garden through design and colours to lift your soul

• Become conscious of the individuality of your farm or garden

We provide one-on-one biodynamic gardening coaching that works with every aspect raised here in becoming a consistently successful food grower. For more information email or visit our coaching page

Author – Peter Kearney