Oh My Garden! 6 end-of-winter tips to help your garden

Spring is the season for regeneration and growth. Your garden will start to show the signs of new life as it transitions from the colder months. Here are some things you can do to help it along.

1. WATCH FOR SNEAKY LEAF EATERS

Cabbage moths or cabbage butterflies look like pretty white butterflies flitting around your cabbages, kale, broccoli and other veggies. But each time they land on a leaf, they’re laying eggs. When the caterpillars hatch, they start munching. If you have holes in your veggie leaves, look for the soft, green caterpillars or yellow eggs on the leaves or along the stems.

2. WEEDS BE GONE

Clear out the old plants to make room for the new. Make sure you bag and bin any weeds with seed heads on them so they don’t spread through your compost.

3. THINK AND PLAN

What worked well last season and what do you want to change for this season? Do you need to rotate crops? Want to try new things? Start organising the seeds you have and collect the seeds you want to grow. Start some seeds indoors in a sunny windowsill to get a jump on the spring season.

4. SEEK AND SOW THOSE SEEDS

Late winter and early spring is the time to get seeds started in frost-free areas. Ask neighbours or garden friends for old seedlings, try seeds you’ve never planted before or get cuttings from a friend.

5. CLEAN-UP TIME

Scrub your pots, clean and polish your tools and organise your supplies. Give everything a good clean so you’re ready to go at planting time.

6. FEED THE LAWN

Your lawn will want to grow quickly in summer so ensure it has the nutrients it needs by using a slow-release, high nitrogen fertiliser at the start of spring. You want to be careful not to give your lawn too much fertiliser, particularly in summer as you won’t be able to keep up with the mowing!

TOP TIP: All plants need water! If it is a dry season ensure you give your lawn a deep water a couple of times per week. This will ensure it continues to thrive.