May in the Melbourne garden

Broad Bean

Sow seed direct

Pea

Sow seed beside a trellis

Spinach

Sow in cool weather; it bolts in heat

Onion

Plant seedlings in winter

Garlic

Plant cloves pointy end up

Tulip

Chill bulbs 6 weeks in the fridge, then plant

Coriander

Sow in cooler months; it bolts in heat

Strawberry

Plant runners in autumn

Pink Everlasting

Sow seed direct in autumn, where it is to flower

Lettuce

Pick outer leaves or whole heads

Carrot

Pull from about 12 weeks after sowing

Spinach

Pick outer leaves

Kale

Pick lower leaves; frost sweetens them

Leek

Lift as needed through winter

Lemon Tree

Pick lemons as they colour; they hold on the tree

Passionfruit

Collect fruit as it drops; wrinkled is ripe

Olive Tree

Pick for curing as fruit turns from green to purple

Feijoa

Gather fruit as it drops

Mandarin

Pick as they colour

Silverbeet

Pick outer leaves as needed

Finger Lime

Pick when the fruit comes away with a gentle tug

Lemon Myrtle

Pick leaves as you need them; they dry well

Summer vegetables

Pull out spent plants and compost them

Dahlia

Cut back once foliage dies; lift tubers in cold, wet ground