On a cheerfully sunny morning, Hollis and I visited the Botanical Gardens in Wollongong. Upon entry we were greeted by two roosters and a hen, free-ranging on the grass. As Hollis tried to make friends with the birds, I was drawn to inspect the impressive vegetable patch nearby. Bordered by bright marigolds and flanked by colourful rainbow chards and silverbeets, the extensive bed was offering full and round purple and white cabbages; in between fresh pale green broad beans were well on their way to offer up some pods.

In contrast, in our own rather neglected backyard a few lonely garlic shoots fight their way up amongst masses of weeds. The ‘autumn’ green manure mix in two garden beds appear promising. When the crops reach knee high, they will be cut down and let lay with lightly tilled soil to decompose and replenish nutrients lost to past plantings. The recent increase amount of sunlight is enriching the fructose content of the (hitherto inedible) sour oranges. Masses of new flower buds are forming on the lemon tree. The air has been very dry and some plants are showing signs of thirst. Just the other day, an announcement came through the loudspeakers in the supermarket informing shoppers that, in preparation for spring, potting mix has been put on sale. It is time once again to think about our spring and summer crop planting.