Page 14 - Fourways Gardens September 2021

Gardening

September in the garden

September is here, and there’s plenty to be done while you’re outside enjoying the beginning of

spring. Harvesting crops will keep you busy this month. And there’s loads of work to do tidying and
maintaining plants and equipment.

In the fruit garden
1. Tidy up your strawberry plants and clear
away used straw, as this will harbour pests
and diseases in summer.
2. Pick ripe apples. To test when they’re ripe,
gently lift them in the palm of your hand
while on the tree, or give them a slight pull
– they should come away easily.
3. Mow long grass under fruit trees to make
it easier to spot windfall fruits.
4. Cut back the fruited canes of your summer
raspberries, if you haven’t already, leaving
the new green canes for next year’s crop.
Tie next year’s raspberry canes to support
wires or fencing.

In the vegetable garden
• Keep harvesting crops. If you have a lot of
fruit and vegetables, try freezing, drying,
pickling, and storing them so that you can
benefit from them later in the year.
• Pinch out the tips of outdoor cordon
tomato plants to concentrate the plants’
energy into producing ripe fruit.
• Harvest sweetcorn. To test if it’s ready,
pinch a kernel – it will release a milky sap
when ripe.

ORGANIC AND NATURAL PRODUCTS
Shop for a wide range of top quality
organic and natural garden products
to ensure healthy plant growth.
Tasks to do in the garden this month: as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths, for Turfnet’s range includes products that
1. Divide your herbaceous perennials. This glorious colour next season. protect your plants and vegetables
will keep your plants healthy and vigorous 5. Scarify, top dress and fertilise your lawn against pests, fungi and disease.
year after year and multiply your stock. with a good quality compost and organic You will also find plant food and soil
2. Net ponds now before spring gets fertiliser, available from Turfnet. enhancers to help you achieve the
underway to get them clean for the very best growing results.
coming warm summer season. In the flower garden
3. Clean out greenhouses and plant up bare • Continue to feed and deadhead flowers on Want to know how to improve
areas for the growing season. your shrubs. your garden? Contact Jerida
4. Plant spring flowering bulbs now, such • Keep deadheading annuals and perennials. on 073 935 9754.

To purchase natural gardening products, or for more information about how to be eco-friendly,
give Turfnet a call on 011 464 5088. Address: Plot 17, School Road, Diepsloot.

Fourways Gardens • 12 • September 2021