The Urban Patch

Spring has arrived in Melbourne, and you can feel it in the air. The mornings are lighter, the days are longer, and suddenly the garden feels like it’s woken up from a long nap and decided to throw a party. Everywhere I look there’s something pushing through the soil – seedlings stretching, flowers forming, and (let’s be honest) a few weeds elbowing their way into the action too.

There’s something especially joyful about spring in the city. After months of grey skies and muddy doggy paws, the sun finally has some warmth to it. It’s the season of possibility – of sowing, planting, and dreaming about all the tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs you’ll be feasting on come summer.

Here’s what to do to get stuck into spring and get your garden ready for a vibrant season of growth:

• Plant warm-season crops: Tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, capsicums, eggplants – start them indoors or in seedling trays so they’re ready to thrive as the weather warms.
• Refresh your soil: Top up with compost, mulch, and a bit of TLC after winter’s wear and tear. Healthy soil now means stronger, happier plants later.
• Manage weeds early: With rain and sun, weeds like chickweed and oxalis are quick to appear. Catch them early before they take over your beds.
• Encourage pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are returning. Plant flowers that attract them and enjoy the buzz and essential pollination in your garden.
• Seedlings & propagation: Spring is ideal for starting seeds, dividing perennials, and trying out new plants in your patch.

Spring in the urban garden is a season of possibility – every seed sown now, every soil patch refreshed, and every weed managed sets the stage for a productive and joyful garden year! Take advantage of the longer, warmer days, and let your patch flourish.