Page 22 - FWG Issue 4 May 2024

Gardening

May in the garden

Photo by Corina Ardeleanu

ay is a wonderful month in the by the poppies. They are beautiful to look • Attract birds to your garden by feeding
garden and as the cold winter at, especially when the sunlight shines them during winter.
days approach, gardens reveal through their translucent colours. These • Before putting away your lawnmower and
Ma brilliant display of berries have proven their ability to transform trimmers for winter, give them a thorough
and the autumn foliage of deciduous drab winter gardens into show-stopping clean and take them to the lawnmower
trees and shrubs. Strelitzia, bougainvillea, displays. Mid-May and early June is the specialist for a general overhaul and to
red-hot pokers and roses will be bursting time to plant poppy seedlings to ensure have the blades sharpened.
into bloom. If your garden tends to look a that they weave their magic in your • Clear up autumn leaves from your garden
bit dull at this time of the year, visit your garden this spring. and your gutters.
local garden centre to select some late • Cover sensitive plants in colder regions
summer and autumn beauties to plant in with lightweight, frost cover, hessian, LAWN:
your garden; these will be well established straw or cardboard boxes. Winter is many gardeners’ nightmare. It
by next autumn and reward you with their • House plants should be watered less either means a muddy mess or sad, bare
bountiful displays. frequently as the temperatures drop. turf. Make sure you maintain your lawn
• Reduce the amount of watering your this winter to keep it looking good. Lift the
To-do list to help you keep on top of Kikuyu lawn. Twice a month will be mowing height and cut down on mowing,
important gardening chores: sufficient. use some contour lawn dressing or fine
• Prepare beds for winter annuals by • Keep feeding your winter veggies, but compost for your lawn to encourage root
working in generous amounts of compost make sure the beds are damp before you development, keep lush and healthy
and superphosphate. feed them. Feed with organic contour growth, and make sure you water your
• Sweet peas, poppies, daisies and primulas compost. grass after lawn dressing it. Consistently
are some of the most significant flowers to • Water camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons rake your lawn, remove the fallen leaves
plant this winter. and magnolias, then mulch with organic and other debris. Remove any broad leaf
• Numerous gardens have been inspired contour compost. weeds.

To purchase natural gardening products, or for more information about how to be eco-friendly,
contact Turfnet on 011 469 5051/4 or Mobile no: 073 935 9754 or visit www.turfgreen.co.za
Address: Plot 17, School Road, Diepsloot. 2187

Fourways Gardens • 20 • May 2024