Digging it

Spring and summer are boom times in the garden, for blooms, berries and beets.

Many people find digging, planting, and even weeding a relaxing hobby, and the good news is that it can also put food on the table.

Nothing beats wandering the vegetable patch and creating a fresh salad from what’s on offer.

The threat of frosts has largely dissipated so now is the time to think about putting in crops such as peas, beans, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, beetroot, leeks, and salad greens including rocket, spinach, mizuna, mesclun and lettuce.

Heading into November, it’s also timely to add cucumbers, chillies and capsicums.

Gardens don’t have to be large. Herbs such as basil, chives and coriander thrive in pots and are easy to grow, and how about planting a few cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets. You might also like to try companion planting if you only have a small area. Strawberries, lettuces and herbs add interest among the flowers.