Country Style Landscaping in Dromana: A veggie patch design using recycled apple crates

Recycled apple crates are a great, cost effective landscaping solution for growing vegetables in your garden. 

Our clients in Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula, had a space they wanted to create a veggie garden and so we got to work to make it happen. The area had a sloping bank and uneven surface, so the first step was to build a retaining wall to create a flat and solid platform which could be built upon. A circular retaining wall was chosen to create a flow in design for the natural area which would be complemented by steel edging. The centre of the area was filled with crushed rock and topped with Dromana toppings. 

Five square recycled apple crates were positioned symmetrically in the area with even spacing all around. 

The apple crates were prepared by first lining them with weed mat to allow for water drainage, and then heavy duty building plastic was lined around the sides. The crates were then half filled with scoria which is a light building material, with high drainage, that is used behind retaining walls. 

Mushroom mulch was mixed with top soil and applied on top. This mix provides nutrients to the garden as the fruit and veggies grow.

Lastly an olive tree was positioned in the centre to finish the look. 

The gardens are now bursting full of lots of delicious home grown fruit and veggies that our clients love including kale, broccoli, lettuce, spring onion, strawberries, basil, tomato and more!

Six months on...