How to update your edible pond garden | DIY Garden Projects | Gardening Australia

Josh refreshes his edible water feature. Subscribe 🔔 http://ab.co/GA-subscribe

Josh has designed his garden to have several areas for wildlife habitat alongside productive patches. His raised pond meets both needs, being home to Pygmy Perch, Motorbike Frogs, and lots of edible plants.

The outer edge is planted out with Lebanese Cress and Kangkong, which have become a bit leggy and weak over time so he’s giving them a refresh.

Lebanese Cress is used as a salad green and Kangkong, or water spinach, is great in a stir-fry. To refresh, Josh removes the plants and gently teases the large cress clumps apart into individual plants, ensuring each retains some roots. Now he can work out why they were struggling. The soil has slumped as the organic matter has completely broken down and needs rejuvenating.

New soil consists of two-thirds sand, which won’t break down, and one-third potting mix. Small pieces of Lebanese Cress can go straight in, but larger pieces are best cut back almost to the base, so they don’t wilt. Cut Kangkong back to a node before planting too.

Josh also has established Native Ginger behind the pond which he thins out to allow more sunlight through to the pond plants. A few extra lomandras in the ground for extra frog habitat, and the job is done!

Featured Plants:
LEBANESE CRESS – Aethionema coridifolium
KANGKONG – Ipomoea aquatica*
NATIVE GINGER – Alpinia caerulea cv.
SPINY-HEADED MAT-RUSH – Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’
* Check before planting: this may be an environmental weed in your area
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