Feeling seedy? Get ready for spring

LÁ FHÉILE Bríde traditionally heralds the start of spring and Feb 1-2 marks the pagan festival of Imbolc.

This ancient festival honoured the goddess Brigid and celebrated the end of winter and the beginning of the Celtic agricultural year. Though spring has officially arrived and the growing year has begun, it is still too early to go outside and dig.

One of the biggest mistakes a beginner gardener can make is that of working soil too early. Digging soil that is still wet will result in damage to soil structure, causing compaction. Compacted soil means poor drainage and poor aeration, which is detrimental to healthy plant growth. Plant roots perform their function of taking up water and nutrients best when there are air spaces between soil particles, hence soil fertility largely depends on its structure.