Tom Su Of Lawn Edging: 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food

An Interview With Martita Mestey

Know Your Soil: Invest in a soil test kit. It’ll tell you the pH and nutrient levels. Then you can adjust accordingly with compost, organic fertilizers, or lime. One of my clients wanted juicy tomatoes but couldn’t understand why they looked more like raisins. A quick soil test revealed his garden bed was more sandpit than soil! By enriching his soil with compost and organic matter, Benny’s tomatoes went from sad to superstar.

As we all know, inflation has really increased the price of food. Many people have turned to home gardening to grow their own food. Many have tried this and have been really successful. But others struggle to produce food in their own garden. What do you need to know to create a successful vegetable garden to grow your own food? In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food” we are talking to experts in vegetable gardening who can share stories and insights from their experiences.

As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Tom Su.

Tom Su is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of Lawn Edging Australia, a leading landscaping company in Australia. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Tom has a passion for creating beautiful outdoor spaces that enhance the curb appeal of homes and commercial properties. He is dedicated to providing top-notch landscaping solutions that meet the unique needs of his clients.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”?

Since my childhood, I’ve been fascinated by backyard gardens. I grew up in a neighbourhood where people has some really good gardens. I had this realization quite early that gardens weren’t just about plants, they are also a space for serenity, creativity and sustainability. That’s why I started my company, Lawn Edging, with the objective of creating spaces that bring joy and peace to home owners.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

It was when a client tasked me with creating an urban oasis in a compact space in the heart of Sydney. Me and my team had to find unique solutions to maximise usage of available space. So we incorporated innovative design elements, including vertical gardens and custom-made furniture. What made it even more interesting was that we had to work closely with local authorities to ensure compliance with city regulations. This project not only tested our skills but also highlighted the importance of collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Firstly, adaptability has played a crucial role in my career. It’s essential for an ever evolving industry. For example, when I am faced with an unexpected challenge and the client demands something unique, I swiftly adapt a new approach to complete the project with timeline. Next trait is resilience. During supply chain disruptions, my ability to bounce back and lead the team in finding alternative solutions was vital. Lastly, it’s empathy. By actively listening to clients and empathizing with their vision, I exceeded expectations on a project where understanding their unique needs was paramount.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Something said by Steve Jobs resonate a lot with me, ‘The only way to do great work is to love what you do’. It’s a reminder for me that passion and dedication can help you achieve goals in life.

Are you working on any interesting or exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

I am working on an exciting project for a client in Melbourne. They have a very limited space and have a vision for urban garden, or urban jungles (as called on Instagram). I am using hanging baskets to make a canopy of blooms or cherry tomatoes overhead with vertical planters having herbs, strawberries, even some climbing greens like peas. It’s like creating a green retreat that defies the concrete jungle. It’s not about how much space you have, but how creatively you can make nature fit. These type of gardens can help people have a green space in the middle of concrete jungle.

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about creating a successful garden to grow your own food. Can you help articulate a few reasons why people should be interested in making their own vegetable garden? For example, how is it better for our health? For the environment? For our wallet?

Here’s why growing your own veggie patch is not just cool, but downright brilliant.

1. Know Your food: Starting with the obvious, you know what’s going into your food. No sneaky pesticides, no weird chemicals, just pure, wholesome earth-to-table goodness. You get to play Mother Nature and decide what goes into your soil and plants. Talk about control!

2. Freshness Overload: Ever notice how a tomato from your backyard tastes like an actual tomato? That’s the “just-picked” difference. No more cardboard-tasting veggies that have traveled more countries than you have.

3. Green Wallet, Green Earth: Veggie gardening can save you a fair bit of coin over time. Seeds are cheap, and veggies can be prolific. You can grow them once and harvest many times! And while we’re talking green, fewer food miles mean less carbon footprint.

4. Zen and the Art of Vegetable Gardening: Tending to plants is therapy, it’s a break from screens, a chance to get dirty, and a lovely way to de-stress. Plus, there’s something wildly satisfying about munching on something you’ve grown from scratch.

5. Edible Playground: Ever heard of purple carrots or stripey tomatoes? Growing your own means diving into a world of funky varieties not usually found in stores.

6. Nudge to the Healthy Side: Having a bunch of fresh veggies at hand means you’re more likely to eat them. It’s like having a mini farmers’ market in your backyard. More greens, more health wins.

Where should someone start if they would like to start a garden? Which resources would you recommend? Which plants should they start with?

Gardening is a beautiful mess and a whole lot of fun. Don’t go all-in and transform your entire backyard on day one. Begin with a small patch or even just a few pots. A little corner that gets some good sun is all you need to start your garden adventure. Observe the sunlight in your chosen garden spot. Is it drenched in sun, mostly shady, or something in between? This will help you pick the right plants. Also, get your soil tested. A simple kit from a garden store can tell you a lot about what’s under your feet. Start with some no-fail plants: Lettuce, radishes, and cherry tomatoes among vegetables. Marigolds, sunflowers, and pansies among flowers.

While I love the charm of a good old gardening book, there are tons of online resources. Websites like Gardeners’ World or The Spruce have heaps of tips.

Can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food”?

Here are five key insights that can set you on the path to a bountiful veggie harvest:

1. Know Your Soil: Invest in a soil test kit. It’ll tell you the pH and nutrient levels. Then you can adjust accordingly with compost, organic fertilizers, or lime. One of my clients wanted juicy tomatoes but couldn’t understand why they looked more like raisins. A quick soil test revealed his garden bed was more sandpit than soil! By enriching his soil with compost and organic matter, Benny’s tomatoes went from sad to superstar.

2. Location: Most veggies love the sun — aim for a spot with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight. If you’re tight on space, consider vertical gardening or containers which can be moved around. If you set up your vegetable patch in a shady corner, your plants will stretch tall and thin, looking for sunlight.

3. Water Wisdom: I often see this problem in the gardens I work in. Owners love their veggies, so they water them quite often until they drown. Plants need a Goldilocks amount of water — not too much, not too little. Water deeply but less often. This encourages roots to grow down, seeking moisture. A drip irrigation system or a soaker hose can be a game-changer. And always water at the base of plants to prevent diseases.

4. Friend & Foe in the Garden: Learn about beneficial insects. Ladybugs, praying mantises, and lacewings are garden heroes. And if you see pests, sometimes a simple blast of water from a hose can knock them off. I once battled aphids on my roses. Instead of chemicals, I introduced ladybugs and the problem was gone.

5. Rotate & Diversity: Changing where you plant certain veggies each year can prevent soil-borne diseases and pests from gaining a foothold. Plus, planting diverse plants together (like tomatoes with basil) can deter pests and even improve flavor.

What are the most common mistakes you have seen people make when they start a garden? What specifically can be done to avoid those errors?

Here are the mishaps I’ve noticed that pop up like unwelcome weeds:

1. Overcrowding: People get plant-happy and shove too many seedlings into a sardine can situation. Plants need room to strut their stuff. Spread them out — give ’em space to breathe, and they’ll thank you with good growth.

2. Wrong Plant, Wrong Place: It’s like inviting a polar bear to a desert rave — some folks plant sun-lovers in the shade and vice versa. Plants are picky. Read those labels and match the plant to the spot that suits its sun-bathing preferences.

3. Water Woes: New gardeners either drown their plants in love (read: water) or leave them thirsty. The golden rule? Stick your finger in the soil — feels like a wrung-out sponge? Perfect. Dry as a bone? Time for a drink. Soggy? Let it be.

4. Soil Neglect: Soil’s the stage where the rooty magic happens. Ignoring it is like ignoring the foundation of your house. Feed it with compost, dress it up with mulch, and it’ll support blockbuster growth.

5. Impatience: New gardeners sometimes pull up stakes too early. Give the plants time to establish. They’re settling in, getting to know the neighborhood before they put on a show.

To dodge these errors, take a beat before you dive in. Plan ahead and kow your garden’s light, space, and feel the soil’s vibe. And remember, patience is a gardener’s true companion. You’re coaxing life from the earth — not flipping a switch.

What are some of the best ways to keep the costs of gardening down?

Start from Seeds: Buying full-grown plants is like eating out at a fancy restaurant when you’ve got a fridge full of food. Seeds cost peanuts in comparison and with a little patience, you’ll get the same result.

Compost Corner: Skip the pricey fertilizers. Your kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, and leaves are gold mines for creating rich compost. It’s like cooking at home instead of ordering takeout — it saves you money, and it’s better for you.

Propagation Station: Learn to propagate your plants. Snip a piece off, stick it in some soil or water, and wait for roots to do their thing. It’s like getting your plants to have kids for free.

Tool Time: No need for shiny, expensive tools. Often, you can score second-hand tools at yard sales or thrift stores that still have plenty of life left in them.

Container Gardening: If you’ve got to buy pots, that can add up quick. But hey, a lot of stuff can be a pot. Old boots, wheelbarrows, buckets — get creative. Just make sure there’s drainage.

Water Wisdom: Collect rainwater in barrels to water your garden. It’s better for your plants, and it saves on the water bill.

Perennial Power: Plant perennials. You buy them once, and they come back every year, like a favorite TV show’s new season.

Be Selective: Choose plants that are native or well-adapted to your area. They’re more likely to thrive without special care or extra resources.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I were to inspire a movement, it would be the “Green Thumb Community Initiative.” It’s simple yet has the potential to ripple out in waves of positive change, both locally and globally. Here’s the seed of the idea: Planting Food Everywhere: Transform public spaces, empty lots, and even lawns into edible landscapes. Think community gardens that not only beautify the area but provide fresh produce to locals and teach the value of sustainable living.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

If given a chance, I would love to have a cup of coffee with Sir David Attenborough. Because his lifetime of knowledge about the natural world and his perspective on humanity’s impact on the environment could provide invaluable insights into how we can live more harmoniously with our planet.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Visit my website: http://lawnedging.com.au/ and follow me on my LinkedIn account.

Thank you so much for the time you spent on this interview. We wish you only continued success and good health.