Isn’t it wonderful to be having such great weather?  I don’t know if we’re having a particularly nice spring or a bit of an early summer but it’s lovely.  I always feel this time of year is the best time to be a lifestyle person. 

It's a beautiful time of the year to be on a lifestyle block.

While it’s lovely being outside enjoying nature it’s also a very busy time of year for those of us on lifestyle blocks. 

I was lucky enough over winter to get my gate and fence maintenance sorted and am enjoying spending some time on other tasks around the property.

In fact I’ve been really concentrating on weeds recently and have been spot spraying the thistles. 

My hard work is paying off as the beastly things appear to be turning up their toes and the pasture is starting to look good.  And this time of year – in particular with this lovely weather – is the perfect time to really nurture your pasture and a good broadleaf spray will do wonders. 

I can’t say it enough either – get your soil tested.  It’s the one way to be sure you are spreading the right fertiliser for YOUR property. 

One of the few curses of this weather is of course the lawns once again require weekly mowing – and take time to check for lawn spoiling as well. 

Make sure you spray for prickles and weeds in your lawn as well your paddocks. 

This year I was better organised than in the past and got my ride-on and my mower into the store for maintenance during the off season before the guys were swamped, meaning I was prepared when the spring growth in the lawn hit. 

My hens also appreciate the weather and are in full production.  This means 36 eggs a week from our six girls.  Even the vege garden is looking happy with summer veges beginning to sprout.  Long may it last.

See you next month.

• Brian Neben publishes Rural Living, and during the weekends is an avid lifestyle farmer.