Jon Lamb’s spring gardening guide

For gardeners who enjoy growing their own fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, there is now an irresistible urge to spend time outdoors and to start planting. Gardening guru Jon Lamb tells us how to prep our soil, what to plant and when for bigger harvests.

Jon Lamb's Spring Gardening Guide.

Blue skies are reappearing and temperatures are starting to rise. What better way to say it’s spring.

For gardeners who enjoy growing and harvesting their own fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, there is now an irresistible urge to spend time outdoors and to start planting.

Be aware it will be another three or four weeks before soil temperatures are warm enough to establish most warm-season plants.

Fortunately there is no shortage of cold-tolerant vegetables, herbs, flowers and shrubs that can be established right now.

While waiting to plant out your tomatoes, cucumbers and other summer favourites, spend some time improving the health of your soil.

Simply adding some quality compost to the soil before you start planting will be rewarded with healthier plants that produce bigger crops and better flowers.

Early spring is also a good time for repotting, applying fertiliser, repairing the garden after the ravages of winter and, like it or not, controlling the weeds.