Everything in Melbourne now seems to be either in bud, blossom or about to shoot...Spring is a great time of the year. Time to get out in the garden and start gardening and time to consider your bush food garden. There are three methods used for propogating most plants, either start by planting seedlings, use cuttings or dividing plants or else by grafting.
Unless you have cuttings in your garden or are dividing existing plants or share with friends seeds are the cheapest way to get plants. You often create the most hardy plants as they are grown from the start in your garden and weather to your garden's individual specifications. If using rainforest plants plant them as soon as you can, as they often won't germinate if left in storage for long periods of time. For temperate and alpine plants store in the refridgerator or similar cool, wet temperatue for weeks to simulate winter or else plant at the beinning of winter to germinate in the Spring. Scratch the hard-coated seeds eg wattles to stimulate germination.
Something like Native Thyme (Ocimum tenuiflorum), pictured, are great seeds for your garden, grows from arid to tropical, it is common throughout Australia, plant in full/part-sun, provide a little extra water to get started but is drought tolerant once established.
Leaves of the Native Thyme can be used in salads, sauces and soups. Leaves can be used fresh or dried, they make a refreshing tea.
