And the lack of rain certainly does not arouse excitement for the future of our gardens.

But there are still a few of us that brave the elements, pull on our big girl pants and head out to attend to some wanting need in the garden.

Roses still need pruning, orchards also require their winter prune and your veg garden can be prepped for the spring.

Whether you are a new veg grower or an old hand at growing your own, a few tips and tricks will help you get your beds ready for your new seedlings.

Over fertilising: A mistake that's easily made. More does not guarantee better yields, in fact it will reduce your production, considerably. Even causing stunted growth and burning. Fertiliser should only be applied at the recommended rates and should only be applied to nutrient deficient soil. Plants only use the nutrients they require; any residue will be leached into the soil and wasted. Excess fertiliser has a greater effect on flowering plants as they are likely to send the extra nutrients into their foliage at the expense of flowers and fruits. If you want to enrich your soil, try compost or manure.

Using synthetic fertilisers: If you want to produce organic produce do not use a synthetic fertiliser. They may be cheaper but potentially harmful. When buying fertiliser always double check the active components to determine whether it is appropriate for your garden. You can make your own organic fertiliser with manure, not only is it a fertiliser but also a soil conditioner.

Avoid planting in shade: sometimes you are restricted by space and location of your veg garden, but a shady spot is not the answer. Some vegetables such as peas and lettuce can cope with reduced amounts of sun, but most need a minimum of six hours of sunlight. If you have a spot that gets morning sunlight, that is at least better than nothing.

Improve your soil: add a compost to your soil every year (in between crops). This will produce a healthier and more productive crop of vegetables. Soil can be improved with plenty of organic matter and compost, throughout the seasons. You can never 'overdo' organic matter in your garden. So load it on and watch your garden thrive.

Over watering: especially with our low rainfall, it is easy to make the mistake of over watering your vegetable garden. Too much water can cause the roots to rot and the plants to drown. If you keep in mind that the soil should be moist but not drenched. An easy check is to stick your finger in the soil, if its moist, that's good, check most days as an indicator. To assist in maintaining moisture, mulch around the plants with an organic mulch such as lucerne hay or pea straw.

Don't plant seeds too deep or too shallow: a good general guide for planting seeds is the size of the seeds. The larger the seeds or seedlings the deeper it prefers to be planted. Follow the plant depth guidelines on the seed packet and ask your nurseryman. Planting too deep will lead to disappointment and poor germination. Planting to shallow will cause them to dry out and die.

Planting too closely: crowding can lead to competition for sunlight, water and nutrients. Again follow the spacing guidelines - imagine the size of the plant for optimum spacing. I do tend to err on the side of overplanting as not all seeds/seedlings germinate or survive and I want as many veg as possible. If you really have over planted, young carrots and beetroots are delicious when they are little.

Don't go too big: growing your own produce is awesome but don't be tempted to go to big. Start out small and work your way up, experimenting with different veg and varieties. Start with tomatoes, lettuces and a few herbs such as chives and basil. Once you have mastered a few vegetables and gained a little confidence, then you can go nuts.

Pesticides: some bugs can wipe out your veg garden while you sleep, so keep and eye on your growing veg. The best solution for your health is to use no chemicals. Many bugs and catapillars can be hand picked and squashed, so be vigilant and peruse your patch daily.

Have fun experimenting; you will have so much fun growing your own food.