The weather will begin to warm. It is a busy time for planting and preparation. Plan your time wisely and note when seeds go in the ground, so you can count down the days to harvest.

Special attention

• It’s time to pay special attention to the soil. Remove any weeds and add more food to the soil.
• Keep the compost beds turning over. Add the well-rotted compost to the ground with animal manure and Tui’s General Fertiliser.

Sow

• Sow seeds for asparagus, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage (early and main crop), cauliflower (early crop), endive, radish, rhubarb, silver beet, spinach, and turnip. Seeds can be sown in trays or peat pots.
• Sow in boxes in frames or in a greenhouse, artichokes, capsicums, celery, eggplants, lettuce, leeks, and tomatoes.
• Continue to plant mizuna leaves and watercress.
• Sow herb seeds like comfrey, coriander, hyssop, parsley and thyme.
• Garlic cloves can be put in the ground now.

Transplant

• Remember to plant new-season spring vegetables in containers from July sowings.
• Old clumps of herbs can be divided for increased production, but avoid woody portions where possible.
• Plant out developing asparagus crowns into their own permanent spot.

Protect

• Spray any winter crops to prevent ring spot and mildew and chocolate spot on broad beans.

Fertilise

• Continue to fertilise with Tui General Fertiliser and lime.
• Dig in any leafy green crops like mustard or lupins. Don’t wait until they are too big or there will be trouble for them to break down.

Harvest

• Broccoli, cabbages, leeks, parsnips and silver beet are all ready for harvesting now.
• Winter lettuces and mizuna are ready for constant picking.