Many studies have shown that regular physical gardening activity reduces the risk of depression, high blood pressure and strokes. Gardening also improves strength, stamina and flexibility. The Vitamin D your skin absorbs while you are outside is essential for your immune system and good health. Now on too what needs to be done in May.

• Mothers Day….Give Mum a plant. Most mums love plants. A flowering cyclamen, a lily bulb [Christmas lilies are in], or voucher if you want her too choose something.

• Plant a feijoa. Why pay $7 a kilo when you could grow your own. They are easy!

• Dig spuds and kumara pick pumpkins and store in dry, dark place, away from rodents. Parsnips and leeks can be left in the ground. # Keep frost cloth handy….to throw over things like black passionfruit and citrus. A spray with Vapourgard would also help.

• Order fruit trees now for July delivery. They are in hot demand and I would hate you to miss a season.

• Get plots ready for strawberries. Order now for winter planting as these ones will produce earlier than those you can buy in early spring. Tidy existing plants, remove runners and re-plant if original plants are only 2 years. Mulch with oak or pine needles.

• Rake up leaves and put in plastic rubbish bags with a good couple of handfuls of blood and bone. Put in a cool place, under trees and in the spring use as a mulch.

• Polyanthus love dried blood, so give it sparingly but often.

• Continue to plant vegetable plants, spinach, broccoli etc.