The soil is warming up and it’s time to get those plants and seeds into the ground. Hopefully it has been well prepared during winter with plenty of organic matter dug in. If not, purchase bags of mushroom compost, cow manure or better still sheep manure and forks this into the bed. At the same time apply a good dressing of lime. It will take several weeks for soil bacteria to break down the organic matter to nutrients available to the plants so a light dressing of a general garden fertiliser that contains all the essential elements is worthwhile.

 Raised garden beds will probably need topping up with a Vege Garden Mix. If watering systems are installed, check that they are all working well before they are needed.

 Sow seed of Snow Peas & Peas, Beans, Zucchini, Squash, Pumpkin, Carrots, Radish and Beetroot. Plant seedlings of Lettuce, Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Spring Onions, Shallots, Tomatoes, Egg Plant, Chillies, Peppers and Silverbeet. Plant potatoes. 

Apply Slug bait. Watch for the White butterflies and take action by applying vegetable dust or spraying with Mavrik which is very safe when used as directed. There is also a product containing the bacterium Bacillus theringiensis that kills caterpillars when applied as a spray.

Apply Mulch & fertiliser to Strawberry beds and Rhubarb