Spring has sprung! Whether you’re already a keen backyard gardener, or thinking about starting your own vegie plot, this time of year is just perfect for getting out in the garden.
Our seedling supplier, Pam Morrow, of Iona Herbs, have plenty of healthy spring seedlings available, including organic and heirloom varieties, plus a truckload of helpful hints and advice on creating a healthy and productive vegie patch.
Here are a few tips from Pam to get you on your way:
Soil is everything. Good soil is the key to strong, healthy plants. Before you plant your seedlings, add good quality compost and well-rotted manure to your garden bed.
Mulch, mulch, mulch. Once you have prepared you soil, protect all the goodness and keep it warm and moist by covering with a good layer of mulch. Organic sugar cane mulch and seed free straws are good.
Try heirloom varieties. Heirloom vegies are perfect for the backyard plot and they usually taste much better than modern hybrids.
Plant in the afternoon. Pam says planting your seedlings late in the day gives them time to adjust to their new environment.
Keep the pests away. Strong plants are the best defence against pests, but there are some other safeguards you can take to keep you garden pest free and organic. For the white cabbage butterfly, try companion plant Upland Cress. It attracts the butterflies, which lay their eggs on it, but the eggs will not survive. Dipel and Neem are other organic pest repellents.
Plant flowers. Flowers like sweet alyssum, marigolds and nasturtium, and edibles like coriander that are left to go to flower will help attract bees and other beneficial, pest-eating insects to your garden. They’ll also make you happy when you look at them.
What to plant? Corn, tomatoes, green beans, basil, cucumbers and melons are just a few of the crops you can get started now.
