Everything Grows Fast in Brisbane (Including Weeds)

One of the first things we learned after moving into our Brisbane garden was this: everything grows fast. Vegetables, herbs, fruit trees – and weeds.

When we first started what became the Brisbane Kitchen Garden, we were amazed at how quickly bare soil could turn into a jungle if left alone for even a short time.

Why Brisbane Is Perfect for Experimenting

Warm temperatures, summer rain and long growing seasons mean Brisbane is a brilliant place to experiment with planting.

If something does not work, you usually know quickly. The upside is fast results. The downside is that weeds take advantage of the same conditions.

Instead of fighting that reality, we have tried to work with it.

Accepting That Weeds Are Part of the Deal

Our first mistake was trying to eliminate weeds completely. In Brisbane, that is a losing battle.

We now aim for control rather than perfection. A few weeds popping up does not mean failure. It usually means the soil is healthy.

Mulch Is Not Optional

If there is one thing we would recommend to anyone gardening in Brisbane, it is mulch. Lots of it.

Mulch:

• Suppresses weeds
• Retains moisture in hot weather
• Improves soil as it breaks down

Any bare soil will quickly invite weeds, so we try to keep garden beds covered at all times.

Let the Chickens Help

Our chickens are excellent little assistants. Before planting new areas, we often let them scratch through the soil.

They reduce weed seeds, add manure and generally do a better job than we ever could with a fork.

It is messy, but effective.

Ground Cover Is Your Friend

Where possible, we plant ground covers or allow vegetables to sprawl.

Pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes do a great job of shading the soil and leaving less space for weeds to establish.

Weeding Little and Often

Trying to tackle weeds once they are established is hard work.

We have found that five or ten minutes every few days is far easier than a full day battling overgrown beds.

Brisbane gardens reward consistency more than big efforts.

Weeds as a Signpost

We now use weeds as information.

If one area keeps filling with fast-growing weeds, it usually means that spot is fertile and ready to grow something useful.

Instead of fighting it, we ask what would grow well there.

Share Your Tips

We are still learning what works best in our space, and that is part of the fun.

If you have weed control strategies that work well in Brisbane – especially budget-friendly ones – we would love to hear them.

This garden is a work in progress, and like everything else here, it grows fast.