Growing vegies from seed is a great school holiday or lockdown project and the top five varieties will continue to produce for months. To speed up the germination process soak the seed for 24 hours before sowing in a solution of Seasol in water (30mL concentrate per 9 litres of water – standard watering can).

Tomatoes – The Cherry tomato varieties are some of the most productive and versatile. Producing sweet tasty fruit for months they are a firm favourite will everyone in the family. Select a sunny position, improve the soil, and keep well mulched. They can be harvested individually or as a truss and allowed to ripen inside.

Silverbeet – Is another variety of vegie that is perfect for beginners. As with all leafy greens they require well improved soil when planting or will become stunted and full of pests. Also, the flavour will tend to be bitter, so fortnightly fertilising will ensure full of flavour greens suitable for sandwiches, salads, or quiches.  For sweet tender leaves harvest when they are about 10cm long.

Capsicums – Are proven performers in Australian gardens and in frost free areas have the potential to fruit for more than one season. The banana shaped sweet yellow varieties are by far the most productive and the tastiest. Plant from seedlings or semi advanced plants to get a head start on the spring vegie garden.

Zucchinis – Are the perfect vegie for beginner gardeners. Grow them fast in a sunny position, in well improved soil. Zucchinis are best enjoyed when harvested when small, about 10cm long. Enjoy lightly steamed or sliced thinly raw in a green salad.

Dwarf Beans – Produce kilograms of tender beans in a small space. Perfect for small space garden these low growing bushes can be massed planted and only reach heights of approx. 40cm. Improve the soil with compost or sheep manure and sow 2 or 3 seeds in each hole. Seedlings are a favourite amongst snails or slugs, so inspect seedlings after dark and use the stomp method of disposal.

Spring Vegie Patch Tips

• To revitalise the soil apply well rotted manure or compost or a soil improver and conditioner such a Seasol Liquid Compost (50mL concentrate per 9 litres of water) every 3 months or whenever needed.
• To get your seeds or seedlings off to a get start apply Seasol GOLD (40mL concentrate per 9 litres of water) every 2 to 4 weeks to promote robust, healthy growth, rapid strong root development.
• For a bumper crop in the vegie patch apply PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Tomatoes & Vegetables (5omL concentrate per 9 litres of water) every 2 to 4 weeks.