While we are in the transition phase from winter to spring, there's one thing we can be sure of; the unpredictability of the weather.
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At this time of year, it can be wet, dry, hot, cold or windy - and sometimes a combination of these all in one week!
It is definitely time to get the summer veggie garden happening, if you haven't started already.
- Seeds of beetroot, carrots and parsnip are best sown directly into the ground.
- Asian greens, broad beans, lettuce, peas & snow peas, radish, rocket (arugula), silverbeet and long-day onions can be sown directly or as seedlings.
- Artichokes, broccoli, kale, leeks and spring onions can be planted now and are best started as seedlings.
- Seeds of tomatoes, cucumber, melons, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn, and zucchini can be sown into seed trays or individual modules now, in preparation for planting out after the danger of frosts has passed. This will give these veggies a head start and you an earlier harvest.
- Eggplant, chillies and capsicum are also frost tender but need a longer growing season so are best started under cover so they are more advanced when they are planted and have a head start. Get some seeds started in seed trays now.
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Some of the slower-growing winter vegies such as cauliflower and cabbage should be ready to harvest soon, if not already.
It takes about 3 to 4 months before cabbages are ready to harvest.
Cabbages won't stand for long once they are ripe.
When you see a cabbage heart changing to a paler colour and it becomes firm to the touch, it won't last for long and a short time after will start to split as it matures.
Pick them by pulling the whole plant out of the ground, then cut the stem.
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The bigger, outer leaves will be tougher, so pull those off and add them to your compost.
Apples and pears are now in blossom and this is when codling moths are laying their first eggs on the branches and new leaves.
Honey traps are an effective alternative to toxic chemicals - just add a tablespoon of honey to 2-3 cups of water in an old jar and hang several jars in each tree.
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