The soil for cauliflowers should be deeply dug, rich in organic matter such as well-rotted manure and/or compost, and above all, have lots of nitrogen.

This can be increased by sprinkling blood and bone around growing plants and watering it in thoroughly.

Digging in a green crop a few weeks before planting cauliflowers is another good way to raise the nitrogen content of the soil.

If your soil is at all acid, some dolomite should be dug in, preferably well in advance of planting.

Cauliflowers aren’t the easiest of vegetables to grow, largely because they are so dependent on seasonal conditions. They don’t like extreme heat in summer or heavy frosts during winter.

Cauliflower seedlings should be planted out in dull, showery weather if possible, so that they don’t get any setback. Dip them in seaweed solution first.

It’s easy to place small seedlings too close together. They should be at least 30cm apart

Fennel grows wild along Tasmanian roadsides and does best in non-acid, well-drained loams.

It grows readily from seed but can also be propagated by root or crown division.

Sow the seed directly into the garden in autumn or early spring.

Thin out the small plants to about 30cm apart.

Cultivation is the same as for ordinary vegetables.

The dreaded pear and cherry slug is busy defoliating leaves of trees and plums. Watch for these little black slugs on the leaves and spray with malathion.

Be vigilant too for aphids on your rose buds and young cabbages, cauliflowers and brussels sprouts. Use the non-poisonous pyrethrum to kill them.

And of course, the cabbage white butterflies are always busy laying their eggs on the undersides of the leaves of the cabbage family, and the tops of radishes, swedes and turnips.

Derris dust will fix the caterpillars once they hatch. Left to themselves they will soon strip the leaves.

Cymbidium orchids are one of the hardiest and easy-to-grow of all the orchids and make the perfect potted plant.

Flowering predominantly during winter and early spring, cymbidiums produce showy spikes of flowers ranging from green to white, cream and yellow, pink and burgundy.

Potted cymbidiums can be brought inside for a few weeks to show off their flowers and can also be cut.

Over time, pots can become overcrowded and flowering will reduce so remove the entire orchid clump gently, roots and all.

Divide the clump into two or three sections. It’s important not to separate into too small a sections, as they will take longer to flower again.

Repot with fresh potting mix designed especially for orchids.

Water the orchid well to settle the potting mix around the roots and then, after a few weeks start feeding to encourage new growth, and prepare the orchid for next year’s flowers.

Cymbidiums do best in dappled light and prefer protection from strong winds. A great spot for growing potted cymbidiums is under the shade of trees.

Grow avocadoes easily from seed by planting one, two to three centimetre deep in a pot and keep it watered.

It will probably take a couple of months to sprout.

A seed will also sprout and send down roots if suspended on top of water in a glass jar.

Avocado plants need a very sheltered, sunny spot in the garden or better still a glasshouse as frost will kill them.