SPRING is in the air and Casey garden experts are predicting a busy and beautiful growth period for the city's flora.
Flowering winter plants will recede in parks and gardens and native blossoms, eucalypt and grevillea flowers will burst into colour with the change of season tomorrow.
Casey's botanic development officer Clare Hart says the heavy rain will help council workers and recreational gardeners make the most of the new season.
"It's an exceptionally busy time when everything starts to grow again. We have had an exceptional amount of water, so it is going to be a great growing season."
The council's annual spring maintenance includes planting new flowerbeds, pruning shrubs and hedges, mulching and renovating sports fields.
Berwick's Wilson Botanic Park and Cranbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens will be two of the best local places to enjoy during spring, Ms Hart said.
"All the annual garden beds will get a revamp.
"That usually means a lot of colour, and there is also the fabulous Wilson Botanic Park, which has some fantastic things in flower at the moment."
Keen gardeners may have already seen daffodils, magnolias, tulips and hyacinths flowering and the flowers of fruit trees will soon come to the fore.
"Ornamental pears, apples, almonds, cherries – there are a whole range of fruiting trees that really herald the start of spring," Ms Hart said.
For those not content to just observe the changes around them, now is the time for vegie patches to be rejuvenated.
"For people in their gardens, it's the best time to start preparing the soil."
HANDS-ON HINTS
Clare Hart's spring gardening tips:
■ Reinvigorate the veggie patch by adding compost and organic matter to soil to help hold water and make nutrients available to summer plants.
■ Finish off any end-of-winter pruning of deciduous trees.
■ Feed your citrus trees with fertiliser, compost, aged manures or worm castings.
■ Propagate your summer vegies, such as tomatoes, basil, and lettuce. Larger seeds, such as corn, pumpkin, beans and zucchini, can be directly sown about mid-October.
■ Plant native trees or shrubs for habitat
for birds, animals, butterflies and other insects.
■ Plant indigenous (local plants to your area) garden beds for truly unique Australian gardens.
■ Give the children a patch to dig, plant and look after - they are natural gardeners and love growing simple plants like strawberries and climbing beans.
■ Visit local gardens such as the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne for inspiration and ideas.
■ Group plants according to watering needs - low, medium, and high. This allows you to allocate the right amount of water over the long hot summer months.
■ Think about a water tank, a compost bin or worm farm, and a raised planter bed for herbs.
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