Green Thumbs Beat the Blues
Curb the social isolation blues by growing a vegetable garden at home
Before it was condemned by Australians as the worst year in recent history with devastating bushfires and now a pandemic, 2020 was declared the International Year of Plant Health
by the United Nations General Assembly.
In the current climate of social isolation, potential for illness and staying at home to #stopthespread, growing healthy plants - particularly vegetables - can be hobby with many wellbeing benefits.
From a splash of colour to brighten the walls of your home, to the fresh air and sunshine that comes with a backyard garden, and the nutrients of home-grown produce that you don’t have to compete with panic-buyers for, a healthy vegetable patch is the perfect ‘isolution’ for people staying home - young and old.
So, what are the best vegetables to grow now and in the coming months, and how do you manage the fruits (or rather vegetables) of your labour?
What to grow
Tomatoes:
Because of the beautiful and frequent Queensland sun, tomatoes, which are normally grown in hotter months, can grow almost all year round in the Sunshine State. If you’re growing tomatoes from seeds, seedlings should break through the soil from 7 – 14 days, with plump produce ready for harvest in a few months. If planting established saplings, produce will be ready sooner.
Due to their height, tomatoes should be planted with a stake or trellises. As the plant grows, secure it loosely with gardening twine or old stockings. Prune the vine into a single stem to structure the tomato’s growth. As a natural protection against insects, you should companion plant tomatoes with basil.
Basil:
While basil can be grown successfully in an herb garden, studies have shown it grows better when planted with tomatoes. There are a number of different varieties of basil including Thai, lemon, sweet and bush. Each one has different flavour profiles and intensities. Basil will retain its flavour better if you pinch off the flowering tips.
For the freshest produce, cut the leaves for immediate use. Once the plant starts to die off, pull out the bush and hang it upside down to dry out. The dried leaves can be finely diced for cooking.
Capsicum:
Similar to tomatoes, capsicums grow best in sunny areas with good drainage.
They only need a small stake to grow straight, and the stem should be secured as it grows. From planting, capsicum can take up to 3-months to grow produce.
All capsicums are green. However, for the best and sweetest flavour, wait until the produce has ripened fully and changed colour (to red or yellow) before harvesting. To protect the plant and encourage regrowth, cut off capsicums at the stem rather than pulling them out.
Carrots:
Grown from seeds, carrots look and grow best when planted in rows. When the bright green shoots of the seedlings are around 5cms (2 inches) tall, usually around 3 weeks from planting, replant your carrots to a distance of 2cm (a little under an inch) apart. When the shoots are 15cms (6 inches) tall, replant again to a distance of 5cm (2 inches) apart. This will prevent crowding and promote growth.
Produce can be harvested as needed but remember to cut off the green tops immediately otherwise they will keep drawing moisture, making the carrots dry. To protect your carrots from insects, companion plant with rows of onion or garlic.
Onions:
If planting onions from seeds, you’ll have to plan ahead. Onion seeds grow best in seed raising mix, with the seedlings being moved into a vegetable garden once they’re around 8cm (3 inches) tall. Seedlings can be planted straight into the garden. For the best results, create a trench and lay the seedlings down, covering their roots with soil. Within a few weeks, the onions will be upright and growing strong.
Onions are ready for harvest when their tops are yellow and starting to die. This takes around 6 months, making onions a long-term investment. Spring onions have a much shorter harvest time. They usually shoot within a few days of planting, with produce ready in around 2 weeks. The trade-off is, less fragrant spring onions aren’t as effective as a companion plant for carrots.
Watering
Remember to water your vegetable garden often and thoroughly. Keep an eye on the weather reports and if rain is expected, hold off watering so as not to over-water your crop, with can lead to the underground produce rotting.
Weed management
Weeds, both native and introduced, are a problem in all kinds of gardens and lawns throughout Australia. Weeds can degrade the soil by competing for the nutrients, space and water your vegetables need to grow big and strong.
A combination of an organic herbicide (one that is safe to use around edible plants) and manual weeding, all undertaken on a regular basis will generate the best results for keeping weeds under control. Hoeing your vegetable garden once a week will help stop weeds that haven’t seeded yet from taking root. Hand weeding is required once the weeds have seed heads. Make sure you dispose of the weeds and seeds completely into the rubbish bin (not into compost heaps or the rest of the garden) to avoid transporting the weeds further.
With produce ready for harvest starting in a few months and through to the end of winter, get your green thumb going and you’ll have a bumper crop of healthy vegetables ready to make delicious soups, stews and roasts in no time.
Don’t have what you need to start a veggie garden at home?
Not to worry! There’s no reason to leave the house with many garden suppliers now offering home delivery. Search online and order your seeds, bulbs, fertilisers and tools from a company like Garden Express, Australia’s largest mail order garden supplier.
Check out Gardening Australia's tips for growing winter soup vegetables in the video
below.
A Message From Our CEO, Gillian Meppem
Project Officers Katrina Higgins and Erin Landsberg recently joined Rose and Weston from Boobook Ecological Consulting in Roma, to complete field monitoring in the Murweh and Maranoa districts. This monitoring measures the value and health of Coolibah, Poplar Box, and Brigalow habitat. During this time, we deployed acoustic recorders and motion-sensor wildlife cameras, and took DNA samples from nearby water sources to ascertain the fauna within these threatened habitats.
Playing a Leading Role in the National Soil Monitoring Program Queensland’s regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations are playing a leading role in the National Soil Monitoring Program (NSMP), one of Australia’s most ambitious efforts to assess and improve soil health. Funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust and led by CSIRO, the NSMP will involve sampling at approximately 3,000 sites nationwide over three years, more than 850 of those in Queensland, with a focus on key agricultural zones. Queensland’s NRM groups have formed northern and southern clusters to deliver the program, contributing valuable expertise from over 25 years of on-ground experience. Southern Queensland Landscapes will lead delivery for the QLD South cluster of regions. The data collected will provide a nationally consistent picture of soil condition and health, enabling better decision-making for farmers, land managers, and policymakers to support sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. Jayne Thorpe, Business Development Manager at Southern Queensland Landscapes said, “In total, the QLD South cluster will collect 565 soil samples over the course of the project. That will work out as 11.3 tonnes of soil sent for analysis!”
1. What is Natural Capital? Natural capital refers to the natural resources and ecosystems, like soils, native vegetation, water, and biodiversity, that underpin productive farming and provide essential services such as clean water, healthy soils and carbon storage. For Queensland landholders, this means your land’s value now includes the environmental benefits it delivers, not just crops or livestock. While the term Natural Capital has risen to prominence with government, industry and the public in recent years, the sustainable use of our natural capital, its maintenance and improvement have been fundamental to regional NRM organisations since inception. Identifying and assessing our natural assets are foundational to the development of our regional NRM strategies and plans which guide our operations and provide us with the knowledge and expertise to play a key role in Australia’s efforts to manage and enhance our Natural Capital. 2. Why Does Natural Capital Matter in Agriculture? Australian agriculture is experiencing a shift where nature and production are seen as interconnected assets. This approach is being driven by both market demand and new government policies, with natural capital now influencing land values, investments, and farm business resilience. 3. How Can Farmers Monetise Natural Capital? Natural capital markets allow landholders to earn income by improving or protecting their land’s natural assets. The most common ways to participate include: Carbon Credits: Under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, farmers can generate credits by adopting practices like reforestation, soil carbon improvement, or avoided clearing. These credits are regulated by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) and can be sold to the government or private buyers. Biodiversity Certificates: The new federal Nature Repair Market, established by the Nature Repair Act 2023, allows farmers to earn tradable biodiversity certificates for projects that restore or protect native ecosystems. The CER also administers this market, ensuring robust oversight and scientific credibility. Land Restoration Fund (LRF): Queensland’s LRF builds on the federal framework, offering extra incentives for projects that deliver both carbon abatement and environmental co-benefits, such as improved water quality or habitat restoration. The LRF works in tandem with the ACCU Scheme and prioritises projects that support regional sustainability. More Information: π www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/natural-capital/explained π www.cer.gov.au/schemes/australian-carbon-credit-unit-scheme π www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change/land-restoration-fund π www.nrmrq.org.au/queensland-nature-fund-natural-capital π www.legislation.gov.au/C2023A00121/latest/text
The Board of Southern Queensland Landscapes is pleased to announce Kimberley Swords has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors. Kimberley began her working life as a large animal country vet, after student practical experience across Southern Queensland in Goondiwindi and Injune. Kimberley’s strong interest in natural resource management and regional communities has led her to contribute across a wide variety of industries including the public sector, where she rose to the role of Deputy Secretary in the Australian Government and led environmental approvals, heritage and marine. Her extensive leadership experience incorporates many board roles, including as a current serving member of the CS Energy board. “Following an extensive recruitment phase, where the Southern Queensland Landscapes Board were gratified to receive several high-quality applications, we are delighted to announce the subsequent overwhelming member endorsement of Kimberley as Board Chair. The appointment of a new Chair in any organisation represents an opportunity for refreshment and renewal and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Directors and staff are looking forward to working with Kimberley to deliver our Strategic Plan” said acting Southern Queensland Landscapes Chair, Louise Winten. Kimberly looks forward to engaging with stakeholders across Southern Queensland, with her first full board meeting set down for late June in Charleville. “It is an exciting and challenging time for the region, as we lean into the changing climate, different economic opportunities, and the next generation of regional leaders. I look forward to connecting and collaborating across our communities to better understand how Southern Queensland Landscapes can support sustainable environmental outcomes that materially improve the lives of people living and working in Southern Queensland,” she said. The position of Chair became vacant following the retirement of founding Chair, and long term supporter of regional natural resource management, The Honourable Bruce Scott, AM, at the end of February 2025. Bruce made a significant contribution to Southern Queensland Landscapes during his time as Chair and the Board thanks him for dedication, time, energy, and commitment to the organisation. Southern Queensland Landscapes is one of 11 Queensland-based Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations. Spanning 314,398 square kilometres, the our footprint encompasses the Condamine catchment, Qld Murray Darling Basin and the south-west Mulga Lands. Southern Queensland Landscapes relies on evidence based information, supported by First Nations knowledge, to effectively balance productivity and environmental outcomes that support the regional communities within our landscapes. ο»Ώ
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Southern Queensland Landscapes is seeking an experienced and influential Board Chair to lead a multi-skilled Board in managing natural resources across Southern Queensland. This is a 3-year remunerated role based in Toowoomba, QLD, with the flexibility to manage from anywhere in Southern QLD. The ideal candidate will bring: • Substantial experience leading diverse Boards • Strong relationship-building and leadership skills • Expertise in environmental and agricultural matters This role is an opportunity to shape the future of natural resource management, working closely with land managers, community leaders, and industry professionals. Are you ready to make an enduring impact? For more details and to apply, visit www.windsor-group.com.au/job/board-chair-natural-resources-peak-body or contact Mike Conroy at apply@windsor-group.com.au.
This week marked the final Board meeting for retiring Southern Queensland Landscape Chair, The Hon Bruce Scott AM. The Southern Queensland Landscapes Board hosted a function at Gip’s restaurant in Toowoomba, joined by past Directors, industry stakeholders and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Management team, where Bruce was warmly acknowledged and thanked. Bruce offered special thanks to his dear wife Joan for her support during his period of service to Southern Queensland Landscapes, in particular the warm country hospitality she has offered to many visitors to Roma. Bruce also recognised and thanked Southern Queensland Landscapes Company Secretary Pam Murphy, who has supported Bruce in his service to Southern Queensland Landscapes since the organisation’s inception. ο»Ώ
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