If you are itching to start your spring gardening after the long winter, the wait is over. It is time to get your tools together and your green thumbs at the ready. Spring has arrived and there is work to be done.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weeds wait for no one, so make this your first chore of the new spring. Getting rid of weeds early to avoid ending up with heavier weeding work in the summer is always a good strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your soil quality suffers due to clay content, the soft sulphate mineral gypsum is an ideal additive. Once you have treated your soil, the next task is to use a high quality fertiliser. Alternatively, you can create your own fertiliser that is rich in nutrients by starting a compost heap. While it is important to fertilise for planting, it is equally important to also fertilise your lawn!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite what winter may have led you to believe, you still live in New South Wales. Your garden is going to need some help retaining water. Organic mulch is great for keeping the soil but can also keep weeds at bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good lawn care should involve both weeding and aerating the soil. Compacted soil is less porous and doesn\u2019t allow for great water penetration. Root systems can suffer if a lawn is not aerating after winter. There are three steps to follow: Weed the lawn, aerate and then apply fertiliser. It is also a good idea to reseed in any dead spots where the lawn has suffered irreparable damage over winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should aim to start planting by around the end of September. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Always check the instructions for best practice when you buy seeds \u2013 especially for a species that is new to your garden. Taking cuttings from your favourite plants is also a great way to expand your garden in time for summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have never grown veggies before, this year is as good a time as any to start. Leave space in your garden for veggie plots, or you can use planter boxes to maximize available space. Start simple and allow your veggie garden to grow as your learn. There is plenty of reliable information on growing veggies available online or at the local nursery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless you run a perfectly organized garden shed, you will have noticed by this stage that finding things in the shed is a chore. If so, it is time to organize your garden shed so you can enjoy dedicating more of your time this spring to gardening. When space is a challenge, consider getting rid of your old or less used tools \u2013 or, of course, you could invest in a larger shed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n