It's time to: February

All areas

Monitor the amount of water you are using on the garden by installing a Next Generation Hose Meter,available from www.everylittledrop.com

Heat-loving plants such as amaranthus, portulaca, celosia, salvia, zinnia, gazania, arctotis and succulents will shrug off the heavy weather.

To get the yield suggested on the seed packet you will need to feed vegetables every weekend! We like Amgrow’s Harvest, Yates Uplift and Seeasol’s Powerfeed.

Soak plants in a bucket of seaweed solution before planting in the garden.

Collect honesty and poppy seeds and store in a seed envelope for autumn planting.

Lawn clippings make great mulch for roses and fruit trees. Spread 5cm thick around the drip line.

Move the worm farm into a shady position during summer. Don’t forget to give the worms a weekly drink of 5 litres of water.

Ask a neighbour to water pot plants when you are away on holidays. Put indoor plants in the bath or shower recess. Put outdoor pots together, on the southern, shaded side of the house.

When you have one hour

Check and organise garden chemicals. If you find you don’t use lawn and garden chemicals before the expiry date, consider sharing with a neighbour or a friend. Never flush chemicals into drains, sinks, toilets or any other public wastewater disposal systems - their high toxicity makes them extremely dangerous. The correct way to dispose of potentially hazardous chemicals is through program called CleanOut. CleanOut events are held at various locations throughout NSW at specified dates throughout the year. To find the next one in your area email info@environment.nsw.gov.au or phone the Environment Line 131 555.