Broad beans grow easily from seed planted out now. However, the pods will not form until the weather starts to warm up in spring.

It is preferable to pick the pods when they are young and tender. Once harvesting has finished, the plants should be dug into the soil as they will add nitrogen to the soil.

Plants that are commonly grown as spinach are often actually silver beet. Traditional English spinach is much more tender than silver beet, which has large, crinkled leaves that are more strongly flavoured.

However, English spinach can be difficult to grow if the weather becomes warm. A “Perpetual” form of silver beet, which is more like spinach in growth and flavour, is now available. Its name comes from the plant lasting for more than one season.

Cymbidium orchids will soon be showing the early stages of flowering spikes, if conditions have been favourable for the production of these spikes. Flower spikes will appear from near the base of the leaves.

At first they might be mistaken for new leaves, but it will soon become evident that they are flower spikes as they begin to thicken and change in appearance.

The flower spikes will become quite heavy as they develop and so it is advisable to insert thin stakes as supports while the spikes are new. The stakes can be pushed down into the pots.

Snails are one of the main problems with orchid spikes as they will chew away at the young, developing buds, ruining their development. Preventative measures should be taken before the damage is done.

Remember to take great care if using snail baits as they can poison pets and native animals. The baits can be placed under covers so that the snails can access the baits, while animals are prevented from doing so.

Plants that have developing spikes can be safely moved out of the shady areas and placed into a position of full sun. The plants can remain there until spring.

Once the flower buds begin to reveal their flowers, the pots can be moved indoors for short periods so that the flowers can be enjoyed. Placing the pots outdoors for a day or two will help the plants from suffering from the indoor atmosphere.

Another way to enjoy the flowers indoors is to cut the spike from the plant and place it into a vase. The smaller buds will continue to develop until all the buds have opened.

Whether you call them by their botanical name of Schlumbergera, or their common name of Zygocactus, these plants add colour and interest to the garden during the cooler weather. Christmas cactus and Crab’s claw cactus are other common names.

Zygocactus produce flattened, spineless branches with asymmetrical flowers at the end of the stem tips.

Flower colours range from pink, lavenders and reds through to oranges, yellows and whites. They are excellent specimens for pot culture, particularly when grown in hanging pots, so that the flowers can be admired and enjoyed from below.

Zygocactus are showing colour in their buds now and will soon be in full flower. These plants respond to shortening daylight hours, or, more correctly, lengthening night times.

Because of this they require a position that is shaded during the day, as well as being away from night lights for flower buds to form.

If the plants were placed in an “out-of- the-way” place when they finished flowering last time, it is advisable to check on the plants now so that their full flowering season can be enjoyed.

A cool position is preferred for these plants. Zygocactus perform best when planted into pots or containers that contain a free-draining mix, such as an orchid mix.

When a group of plants that have a variety of colours has been placed into the one container, a brilliant, colourful effect can be obtained.

Propagation of Zygocactus is by cuttings, taken during spring and summer. Segments of desired plants can be broken from the parent plant. They should then be allowed to dry out, either for a few hours, or for a few days.

In order to obtain the best flowering results from flowering, plants should be repotted after flowering has finished.

A potting mix to which has been added equal parts of peat and coarse sand would make an ideal mixture.

This will allow the plant to obtain sufficient moisture to meet its requirements, without allowing the root system to become waterlogged.

Garden beds that will be used for planting out new rose plants should be prepared now. An open position that is well-drained is preferable.

The soil should be dug over to a depth of 20cm, with well-rotted compost or cow manure added to the soil. Lime should not be added to the soil.

The garden bed should then be allowed to rest for several weeks before new rose plants are placed into the soil.

If rain doesn’t occur the soil should be dampened weekly.

It is preferable to delay the planting out of new rose plants until their dormant season, between the end of June and August.