PERK UP, THEN BEIGHTEN UP!

Now's the time to get your garden ready for the summer heat so you can relax in the sun while it does all the hard work

WEEDING

Weed seeds can lie dormant in the soil during the cooler months and are now ready to grow, flower and set seed again. So get rid of them before flowers appear. The Cyclone Hand Weeder, $9.85, is ideal for weeding in garden beds and lawns without damaging or disturbing the surrounding plants or turf. Available from Bunnings, Mitre 10, Home Hardware and all other leading hardware retailers, cyclone.com.au.

IMPROVING SOIL

Soils can get compacted and hydrophobic (water doesn’t get to the roots) in the cooler months. Dig in plenty of well- rotted organic matter, then mulch on top to help prevent the soil from drying out and to insulate it from the heat.

FEEDING