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GARDENING

PREPARING YOUR GARDEN FOR

WINTER AND SPRING

by Elize Malan

e missed autumn preparation due in a decorative container will make all the winter. Do not mow the lawn too short and,
to the lockdown but I am sure all di erence under a tree. if needed, the last herbicide treatment for
Whomeowners have familiarised weeds can be done while active growth is
themselves with their gardens during this All seedlings need well prepared, good quality showing.
time. soil to grow. Their shallow root systems need
regular watering and fertiliser. Using liquid If you neglected to apply fertiliser to your
While everyone wished for an open nursery fertiliser according to the instructions as a roses in April, do it immediately and with
or garden shop, we all had to make do and foliar spray or around the roots will ensure mild weather, another batch of owers might
seed, way past the expiry date. Half empty good results. After the excellent autumn rains mature before the rst frost. If an early winter
bags with dregs of potting soil or compost we had, slugs and snails will be a problem. sets in, there may be no more owers but
were discovered and used. Apply an organic snail repellent. Leaves the rose bushes will still bene t from the
collected from deciduous trees can be applied application.
April has passed and with that the chance of as mulch. Lift the following perennials now
sowing seeds for owering in spring. and replant the new young growth from the If you decided on major changes to your
edge of the clumps: Shasta daisies, Salvias, garden design during lockdown, now is the
Indigenous bulbs such as Babianas, Freesias, Dietes, Agapanthus and Lilies. time to do it.
Tritonias, Sparaxis and Gladioli can be
planted at the end of April, and Tulips and Some vegetables can be sown such as radish, Preparing soil, doing hard landscaping and
Da odils preferably during May. All bulbs carrot, onion and lettuce varieties. planting hardy plants will ensure that the
are sold with planting instructions and backbone of the new garden is already
owering time on the packet. Seedlings of cabbage, cauli ower, spinach settled by spring, and only the cold sensitive
and peas are available and added as a plants need then be added in spring. This will
Fortunately, there is a wide choice of seedlings splash of colour in between garden plants, allow for a picture-perfect garden during its
for planting in May: Petunias, Larkspurs, will provide interest. No need for a separate rst season.
Antirrhinums, Pansies and Calendulas will vegetable garden.
give a splash of colour in sunny beds from We will be extremely busy in May catching up
June onwards. Apply the last fertiliser for the season to lawns on life. Do not neglect your garden, nature is
in early May. Vitaliser 2:3:4 Plant & Veg would most forgiving, but your garden relies on your
Shady areas will showcase Primulas and be a good choice to encourage good root attention to ourish.
Violas, and one tray of seedlings planted formation that will sustain the plants through

20 • Issue 2 2020 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS