Well I don't know about you but there are days now when I can definitely feel spring in the air, admittedly it is the second month of spring, so better late than never I guess.  After all the rain and howling winds we have had to endure the last few weeks, it really lifts your spirits when you get a warm sunny day with no wind.  I really shouldn't complain as those in Christchurch have more reason to complain than I.  The change to daylight savings is also truly welcomed, it is great having more sunshine in the evenings to muck around in the garden.

At the moment my Nasturiums are blooming throughout the vegetable patch, I look forward to their return each year as it signals spring is at last here and summer is around the corner.  Nasturiums are easy to grow from seeds, I find soaking the seeds for several hours before putting into the soil, really helps them take off.   So if you are looking for a plant that will spread like wildfire, produce decorative foliage, have an ocean of brightly-coloured blossoms, and be tasty to boot, there is only one that will fit the bill: Nasturtiums.

Nasturtiums are a gardener's dream. They are virtually carefree once established. Snails don't seem to be interested in them, and they are a natural insect repellent. They will even self seed and come back the next year in Tauranga's climate.

Since it is considered an annual, plant the seeds in spring (now) when the danger of frost has passed. Once they are established, nasturtiums will continue to spread and bloom until the first frost, with little more than the occasional sprinkling. Just be sure to keep them trimmed back or they will crowd out the other plants. Most varieties will grow in partial sun. In fact, they will produce lush foliage but then you tend to miss the best part of your nasturtiums: they flower less under those conditions. Ideally, nasturtiums like to be in full sun, with moist, well drained soil.

Nasturtiums are so welcomed in the kitchen. Although the blossoms appear delicate, they are actually very durable and make for vibrant and long-lasting garnishes. Use the blossoms and leaves either whole or chopped to decorate creamy soups, salads, butters, cakes and platters. Their sweet, peppery taste (both in the leaves and in the flowers) adds to the enjoyment.  The chopped leaves also make a zesty addition to mayonnaise or vinaigrettes. As the summer sun gets hotter, so does the "pepper" in the nasturtiums. More sun and heat, the spicier the taste. So if you are looking for a milder tang, choose flowers from nasturtiums grown in shade or semi-shade.

Nasturtiums are from South America, the conquistadors brought these brightly coloured plants back to Spain in the 1500's. The Indians of Peru used the leaves as a tea to treat coughs, colds and the flu, as well as menstrual and respiratory difficulties. Being high in vitamin C, nasturtiums act as a natural antibiotic, and as such were used topically as a poultice for minor cuts and scratches. Nasturtiums are also used in Ayurvedic medicine. The leaves are rubbed on the gums to stimulate and cleanse them. In World War Two, dried ground nasturtium seeds were used as a substitute for black pepper, which was unattainable. But don't wait for a pepper shortage to plant these showy herbs - enjoy them all summer long!

Now that the danger of frost danger is over fingers crossed, seeds of tender vegetables can be safely sown directly into the soil.

• Plant new herb plants, including parsley so that new plants are established before existing plants go to seed, simply sprinkle parsley seeds directly onto garden soil and lightly cover with soil and water, it's that easy
• Sow direct; beans, peas, carrots, radish, sweetcorn, beetroot, silverbeet, spinach, and parsnip.
• Plant and transplant rhubarb (I'm trying a couple in pots to see how they go), passionfruit and tamarillos.
• Plant rocket to replace those going to seed, my rocket is about 2 metres tall but I have tied it to stakes so that the flowers continue to attract bees and other pollinators to my garden
• Pick off all the first signs of flowers on your strawberries this will encourage your strawberries to produce bigger and better strawberries
• Sow direct or in trays; eggplant, lettuce, cauliflower, cucumber, courgettes, peppers, pumpkin and tomatoes.
• Transplant vegetable seedlings into the garden. Soil should be prepared prior to planting by adding generous amounts of compost and a dressing of General Garden Fertiliser.
• Control slugs and snails with Blitzem.
• Liquid feed all plants with Phostrogen.
• Feed all citrus trees with Citrus Fertiliser.
• Spray potatoes, fruit trees, grape vines and vegetable plants with Champ to prevent fungus diseases.
• Spray citrus at the pre-blossom stage with Champ to control verrucosis, melanose and brown rot.
• Dust cabbages and cauliflowers with Derris Dust to prevent white butterfly caterpillar.
• Plant herbs and vegetables in pots.
• Increase watering as weather warms up.
• Re-pot orchids after flowering. 
• Re-pot houseplants if you haven’t already done so.

Note Pad...

• You know summer's one the way when you start getting bitten in the garden, mental note stock up on insect repellant
• 02/10/10: Ripped out Rocket 2-3m and other spent winter vegetables
• 03/10/10: Added 50% Compost and 50% Garden Mix and Blood and Bone to vegetable garden to condition soil
• 03/10/10: Potted three Aloes for summer sun burns
• I hate cutty grass it hurts
• 04/10/10: Soaked for two hours and added three packets of Nasturium Seeds to front garden fingers crossed they germinate in 7-14 days and I have loads of Nasturium flowers for salads, garishes, sandwiches and vases over summer
• 04/10/10: Trimmed Maple and strawberries
• 05/10/10: Roma Acid Free Tomatoes, Tendercrisp 2000 Celery, Great Lakes Lettuce, Midas Yellow Capsicums, Green Cucumber and Apple Cucumber Seedlings planted
• 12/10/10: Watermelon, Rock Melon, Basil, Apple Cucumber and Green Cucumber seeds sowed directly into garden