Vegetable seeds and seedlings have been in high demand at nurseries around Ballarat, since coronavirus social distancing restrictions were heightened and shoppers turned to panic-buying gardening supplies.
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Veteran backyard gardener John 'Ditchy' Ditchburn said gardening was an ideal activity to be active and get fresh air while cooped up at home, but he wanted to make sure beginner gardeners were informed on the best actions to take in the garden at this time of year.
He said many nurseries stocked seeds and seedlings past the appropriate planting time in Ballarat, so randomly buying what was on the plant shelves could be a futile exercise.
"Now is not the time to haphazardly race out and buy seeds and seedlings to plant," he said.
"What is more useful is to research what varieties are best suited to your area, when and how to plant these varieties and how to build and prepare vegetable beds in preparation for these plantings.
"If you want to grow vegetables, panic planting is not useful, what is useful is planning and preparation to create a productive vegetable garden down the track."
If you want to grow vegetables, panic planting is not useful, what is useful is planning and preparation to create a productive vegetable garden down the track.
- John Ditchburn, Urban Food Garden
Mr Ditchburn said Ballarat's climate was colder than areas cool climate planting guides were designed for, so he and other gardeners created a planting guide specifically for Ballarat.
He said broad beans and garlic were the best to plant in the garden at this time of year. April is also a good time to plant brassica seedlings, like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale.
RELATED COVERAGE: Gardening tips from Ballarat's veteran backyard grower John Ditchburn
Mr Ditchburn said it was best to plant brassicas into an alkaline soil, which could be achieved by spreading a handful of lime per square metre, adding less manure and more blood and bone.
"It is important to have a soil that is right for that vegetable. If you plant brassicas into an acidic soil they won't do nearly as well," he said.
Mr Ditchburn said pak chuoy, lettuce and rocket seedlings could be grown in a green house or in a garden bed with a polytunnel or garden plastic on top.
He said a green house in winter was also perfect for growing peas and snow peas.
Another option is to grow your own seedlings in a styrofoam box filled two thirds with good quality soil or compost and topped with a few centimetres of seed raising or potting mix. .
"Plant your seeds into that and at this time of year put a sheet of glass on top of the box. This creates warmth to germinate the seeds," Mr Ditchburn said.
"This is a great way to start off your lettuces in August. I will be planting in my brown and my red onions in one of those styrofoam seedling boxes now and they will be planted out in August."
Mr Ditchburn said April was a good time to prepare new garden beds for spring planting by creating raised beds and preparing the soil with manure.
This is great if you already have supplies at home - if you do have to purchase supplies ensure you are practicing social distancing or consider delivery options.
Mr Ditchburn is the author of website Urban Food Garden. Visit urbanfoodgarden.org/ for more gardening tips and to download the Ballarat planting guide.
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