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Many keen gardeners will be tempted to get out into their vegetable patch. In cold areas, however, it's still best to wait until the soils warm up and the worst of the frosts have finished.
Working or digging wet soil does it more damage then good. Once the soil becomes compacted, it is very hard for air and water to move through it, which limits root growth and reduces the ability of plants to establish themselves. In areas where the soil isn't too boggy, blend in compost and Tui Super Sheep Pellets in preparation for the upcoming growing season. Dig in cover crops such as mustard and lupin seed. These plants will rot down in a matter of weeks, adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
SPECIAL ATTENTION
- Broad beans - stake or support plants as they grow.
- Lettuces - early-season lettuces and other salad crops can be planted under poly tunnels or protective cloches. Slugs and snails find the seedlings very tasty, so lay Tui Quash slug & snail control to deter them.
- Potatoes - begin sprouting seed potatoes. Remember that most potato crops take about three months to mature, so need to be in the ground in September for a Christmas harvest. Always choose certified seed potatoes. These are specifically selected to thrive in the home garden and guaranteed to be free of viruses and pests that affect potatoes.
SOW
Beans (dwarf, runner and butter, under glass or outside in frost-free areas only), broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, celery, chervil, lettuces, leeks, mesclun, mizuna, radishes, rocket, spinach, silverbeet.
PLANT
Beetroot, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflowers, celery, kale, mizuna, silverbeet, spinach, coriander, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme.
PROTECT
Lay Tui Quash slug & snail control to control these pests and spray aphids andwhitefly with Tui Insect Control for Fruit & Veges as they start to reappear in warmer areas.
FERTILISE
Blend Tui Vegetable Food into garden beds prior to spring planting. Mix Tui Potato Food into garden beds before planting seed potatoes.
HARVEST
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, celery, kale, leeks, winter lettuces, mizuna, parsnips, rocket, silverbeet, spinach.
