Page 22 - Fourways Gardens June 2021

Gardening

June in the Garden

‘to do’ liSt to help you Keep on top oF
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• Water shrubs and plants with shallow root systems like ~
azaleas and camellias during the dry spell in summer
rainfall areas.
• Collect seeds from late summer annuals like zinnias,
cosmos, cleomes (spider flowers), gaillardias and
hollyhocks.
• Lift gladioli corns, shake off the soil, and then store in a
cool, dry place in paper or net bags. Discard damaged
bulbs. If lifting dahlias, keep them covered with slightly
moist sand or sawdust to prevent them from drying out.
• Take cuttings of plants like fuchsias, heliotrope and
daisy bushes and soft sappy plants like impatiens and
plectranthus which are intolerant of cold, wet weather.
• Trim flower stalks from old liliums leaving a stump to
mark their position. Buy lilium bulbs, keep them moist or
plant them temporarily in pots.
• Pinch off faded flowers from Iceland poppies, calendulas,
violas, and pansies to encourage further flowers.
• Foliar feed all existing annuals and bulbs fortnightly or
use organic compost before the cold weather sets in. TEN OF THE BEST VEGETABLES TO GROW IN JUNE
• Cover sensitive plants in colder regions with lightweight, 1. SHALLOTS: To keep shallots growing, you will need to make sure the
frost cover, hessian, straw, or cardboard boxes. soil drains well and stays quite dry.
• Lay down thick mulch or contour compost around the 2. CAULIFLOWER: Do not let sunshine reach the cauliflower curds, this
frost-susceptible plants to insulate the roots. will cause them to discolour. Tie the leaves closed over the curds
• Clean up under hedges, clean out gutters and drains, rake with string.
up fallen leaves and other debris, and loosen the soil to 3. BROAD BEANS: Broad beans grow well and best in a sunny spot
expose insect pests which may be sheltering there. sheltered from wind. They enjoy moist, well-drained soil.
4. THYME: Thyme can be used as an edible ground cover. It also grows
well between rocks and paving.
THREE REASONS TO TAKE UP 5. GARLIC: Garlic does best in well drained, rich soil with lots of
ORGANIC GARDENING compost.
1. Organic gardening produces food that is not only 6. SPRING ONIONS: Spring onions do well in loose soil that is well
higher in nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals such fertilised and drains well.
as calcium and magnesium, but the food tastes 7. WINTER GEM LETTUCE: Lettuce grows well in rich, cool and moist
better too. soil, as it’s 95% water.
2. Organic gardening is good for your mental health. 8. MICRO GREENS: Keep the soil damp and remove weeds for best
Time spent in the garden working with soil and growth.
plants can be very peaceful. 9. SPINACH: The trick to good spinach is a good start. Keep it moist
3. Organic gardening helps the environment – it helps and cool.
to replace nutrients naturally. 10. SNAP PEAS: Severe frost might kill your pea plants, so cover them
up if the temperature is going to dip below zero.

To purchase natural gardening products, or for more information about how to be eco-friendly,
give Turfnet a call: 073 935 9754/011 469 5051/4. Address: Plot 17, School Road, Diepsloot, 2189.

Fourways Gardens • 20 • June 2021