Written by Krisy Goodwin
Spring is a Time of Plans and Projects
– Leo Tolstoy
Now is the time to don a hat, slap on some sunscreen and head outdoors to plant those vegetables that are more tolerant of warm temperatures.
Harvest what’s left of your winter vegetables and give your beds a clean-up by pulling out cold weather stragglers and weeds.
Dig in an application of organic vegetable fertiliser, well-rotted cow or chicken manure and compost, water well and mulch at least 10cm thick.
Keep a close eye on moisture levels in your soil. If you stick your finger into the soil knuckle deep and it comes out dry, you know it needs watering.
In preparation for hot days and pesky insects start preparing insect netting and shade cloth. I like to plant insect repelling plants such as basil, sage, marigolds and sweet marjoram.
Most herbs and flowers with a strong scent have the ability to confuse the vegetable eating insects.
There are many plants that also attract beneficial pollinating and predatory insects, such as lady beetles, bees, hoverflies and praying mantis.
Some that I have in my garden are, cosmos, red Thai basil, chamomile, fennel and dill.
Hints and tips
1. When planting a tomato plant pinch out all the lower leaves and stems to the first 4 leaves then plant deeply to just below these, all those fine hairs you see on the stem will send out new roots giving the plant more strength.
2. When planting out seedlings put a handful of compost into each whole to give them a healthy head start.
3. Garlic, leek, shallots and garlic chives grow great in pots if you are lacking space.
4. To save space train your pumpkins and melons up a trellis
5. Tie brightly coloured tinsel or paint the handles of your Garden Tools in bright colours to make them easier to find in the garden if you lose them.
HEAT LOVING VEGGIES TO PLANT NOW
Beans
Silver beet
Zucchini
Lettuce
Most herbs
Capsicum
Melons
Eggplant
Potatoes
Corn
Pumpkin
Spring onion
Beets
Tomato
Squash
Asian greens
Cucumbers