After the rain we have had lately, I would not be surprised if you are having trouble with growing things in your garden.

I had a very good question last week from a customer about what I thought about garlic or chili spray because her herbs were okay last week but were being eaten this week. I am not very knowledgeable about sprays because I never used them for two reasons.

One is because I was lazy and couldn't be bothered. The second is I believe that the insects are there to tell us something's not right and it is our job to find out what it is. The first thing to go wrong is usually an in-balance in the soil, so this time of year when you are starting your garden, I suggest you put some Min Plus Rock Dust on to replace any minerals that might have been washed out of the soil.

The other thing to be aware of is the weather. When we get a period of rain and overcast weather plants have trouble making sugars which is done through photosynthesis and plants need the sun to do this. So when we get extended periods of overcast weather the plants sugar levels (in the plants sap and fruit) drop and this sugar level is one of the main ways a plant's vitality is measured. There are small instruments which can measure these sugar levels by squeezing a drop of a plants sap on a slide and looking through an eye-piece to get a reading of 0 to 30. Sugar cane farmers are paid on this reading which is called CCS. Some organic farmers use this method to monitor and improve the health of crops and have found when a plant sugar level drop below a certain level 9 insects and diseases will be attracted to their plants.

So sometimes there is not much you can do other than hope for some sunny weather and be prepared to eat holed basil leaves. That is why all the vegetable growing areas of Australia (and the world, for that matter) are in low rain fall areas and need irrigation. Plants need sunshine just like us to bathe in (not bake) is very good for our bodies. So be patient and the sunny weather could be with us soon.