Page 18 - Fourways Gardens March 2021

Gardening

March in the Garden

According to the calendar
it should be early autumn,

but in South Africa Mother
Nature’s sun is still hot and
sitting high in the sky with no
great hurry to set at the end

of the day. Enjoy this special
month by running around
with your wheelbarrow filled
with excellent quality organic

compost. Plant like there is
no tomorrow, feed everything
that has given you pleasure
so that they do it again and

go shopping for winter and
spring flowering bulbs.

BEST HERBS TO PLANT IN AUTUMN
The first step is to pick herbs that are hardy enough to weather the cold Highveld winters.
Thyme, origanum, chervil, parsley and sage are recommended for culinary use. Thyme,
COMPOST AT HOME – Compost is one sage and parsley also have strong medicinal properties and, to complement them, you can
of the most important ways to create a grow hyssop (for bronchitis) and yarrow (for infections and fevers).
no-waste, eco-friendly lifestyle.
Herbs like sweet basil, borage, lemon balm and the various mints are too tender and will die
BENEFITS OF COMPOSTING – Compost down so it is worth treating them as summer annuals.
is a very beneficial medium that offers
a nutrient-rich solution for the healthy Herbs need at least four hours of sun in winter and a sheltered position. For this
growth of both indoor and outdoor reason, they should be grown in pots so they can be moved around to follow the
plants. During the composting process, sun. Choose containers that are a minimum of 20cm in diameter, have drainage
beneficial organisms are introduced to holes and are deep enough for the herb’s roots to develop. Use a normal commercial
the soil to break down organic material potting soil that drains well.
and ward off plant disease.

Herbs do not like wet feet so don’t put saucers underneath the pots. Check the soil moisture
COMPOST IS USED FOR – new planting levels daily because the soil should not dry out completely. Generally, potted herbs only
areas, established planting areas, top need to be watered once or twice a week in winter, preferably in the morning. Feed once a
dressing established lawns, new lawns, month with an organic liquid fertiliser.
potted plants/container plants and
also around trees and shrubs.

To purchase natural gardening products, or for more information on how to be eco-friendly, contact Turfnet on:
Tel no: (011) 464-5088 or Mobile no: 073 935 9754. Alternatively, email: Jerida@mweb.co.za, or visit www.turfgreen.co.za
Address: Plot 17, School Road, Diepsloot. 2187.

Fourways Gardens • 16 • March 2021