Spring Gardening Guide

Spring has made a welcome arrival and your garden will be starting to come alive again! It’s time to start planting your spring crops and get your piece of paradise into tip top shape for the warmer months.

Spring to do list

• Add organic matter back to your soil, dig in Tui Compost and Tui Sheep Pellets before planting.
• An application of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic every 2-4 weeks will keep your fruit trees thriving - this seaweed based plant tonic promotes strong root growth, reduces transplant shock and increases fruiting and flowering capacity.
• Sprinkle Tui Quash slug & snail control throughout your garden to protect vulnerable new seedlings.
• If your lawn needs a revamp or you’re thinking of sowing a new one read our guide to growing a lush green lawn.

In the vegetable garden

• Soil is the backbone of your garden, so it is important to prepare before planting all those delicious spring vege crops. The better the soil the better the crops so dig in plenty of Tui Compost and Tui Sheep Pellets.
• Spring is a fantastic time to grow plants from seed. Sow in Tui Seed Raising Mix. Check the seed packets for specific instructions as some seeds are better sown straight into the garden like peas, beans and carrots.
• Popular crops for planting in spring include: beans, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, celery, lettuce, peas, potatoes, spinach, and spring onions. Plant in Tui Vegetable Mix, it contains the right blend of nutrients to provide your veges with the best possible start and sustained growth throughout the season.

For a more detailed list of what to plant in your region view our planting calendar

• Blend Tui Potato Food in garden beds before planting potatoes. Keep mounding potato plants already planted as the leaves appear through the soil. If it's your first time planting potatoes read our Potato Growing Guide.
• Crops to plant later in spring when it’s really warming up and there is no longer the threat of late frosts include tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes and capsicums. Traditionally planted on Labour weekend, tomatoes can be planted in garden beds, pots and containers using Tui Tomato Mix.
• Keep your veges thriving and see visible results within seven days by adding Tui Performance Naturals Tomato & Vegetable Liquid Fertiliser to your watering can.

In the fruit garden

• Citrus trees and sub-tropical’s like tamarillo and passionfruit are ideal to plant in spring. Plant once the frosts have finished.
• Newly planted trees should be well mulched with Tui Mulch & Feed.
• Finish picking the last of the citrus crops - lemons, limes, mandarins and cumquats will all ripe and ready for harvest.
• It is also time to feed existing citrus with specially formulated Tui Performance Naturals Citrus & Fruit Fertiliser, 100% natural with sheep manure and seaweed, along with magnesium for healthy growth and green leaves. Check out the handy liquid fertiliser option. 
• Thin out fruit where it has set too quickly.
• Get your strawberry plants in the ground if you haven’t already. A good rule of thumb is to plant five strawberry plants for each member of the household. Plant in Tui Strawberry Mix specifically formulated with extra potassium, just what your strawberry plants need to encourage a plentiful harvest of big juicy fruit. See our Strawberry Growing Guide for more information.
• Feed existing strawberries and other berries with Tui Strawberry Food.

In the flower garden

• Garden centres will be full of affordable potted colour so it is a great opportunity to brighten up your backyard.
• Popular spring flowers to plant include borage, marigolds, chamomile, purple tansy and nasturtiums. Plant flowers into Tui Rose & Shrub Mix specially formulated for long lasting vibrant floral displays.
• Remember to keep dead-heading flowers to prolong flowering.
• Feed roses with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser and apply a layer of Tui Mulch & Feed to protect their roots as the temperatures begin to warm.
• Spring is also the perfect time for sowing seeds for bedding plants like alyssum, begonia, chrysanthemum, cosmos, dianthus, geranium, gerbera, marigold, petunia, impatiens and sweet pea, to name a few!
• Feed your emerging spring bulbs with Tui Bulb Food when first flower buds appear.