Page 16 - IFV Issue 4 May 2023

Randwater Editorial

WINTER GARDENING TIPS

s temperatures drop and days August: Preparing for spring
get shorter, we are reminded • Now is the time to prepare your
Athat winter is on its way. garden for spring planting.
Winter is a time of rest and recovery in • This is the best time to prune trees and
nature, and the same applies to your shrubs as the cold weather prevents
garden. Just because it is cold and dry infections from setting in and allows
doesn’t mean you must stop enjoying cuts to heal before summer. Make
your garden. Water Wise has compiled sure your secateurs are sharp and
some great tips on how you can make always cut approximately 1 cm away
the most of your winter landscape and from a leaf node to allow for new
use water responsibly. growth.
• Annual pruning is important for
June: It’s all about preparation many trees and shrubs as it allows
• Winter in Gauteng often means less them to increase their flowering in
rain and more frost. Prepare your will make sure it flourishes in spring. spring and stimulates the production
flower beds for cold, dry weather by • Plant indigenous aloes in your garden, of new flower buds.
spreading a layer of mulch over the soil. such as Aloe marlothii and Aloe davyana • Many of your bedding plants may have
Mulch acts as a blanket, keeping the soil (check for frost levels of your garden). gone dormant for the winter, so this
warm and preventing the loss of soil The profusion of yellow, orange, and red is the best time to spot and remove
moisture. winter flowers will add splashes of colour persistent weeds from flower beds.
• Identify all your frost-sensitive and to the low water use zone in your garden. Remember to always remove weeds
vulnerable garden plants and protect • For more colour and brightness in a with the roots intact; if you leave roots
them from frost with frost-netting, dry and grey winter garden, consider behind, the weeds will grow back
hessian or frost guard. Make sure this is planting winter flowering annuals such quickly and easily.
done before the first frost hits. as primulas, cyclamen, camellias and • Add nutrients to your soil in preparation
• Don’t worry about your yellowing lawn pansies in the high water use zone of for spring growth. Add leaves that
in winter. Lawn requires a resting period your garden. have fallen from winter trees, and
when it is allowed to go dormant. Resist • Remember that many plants take the any homemade compost to your soil.
the urge to over-water and only water chance in winter to rest and go dormant. Summer growth would have removed
your lawn once a month in summer This allows them to store resources that much of the nutrient load from your
rainfall areas, and not at all in winter will take them safely through to spring. soil, so it is important to replace those
rainfall areas. Resist the urge to force your plants to nutrients to ensure healthy summer
• Remember that the evaporation rate on continue their usual growth patterns plants.
the Highveld goes down to almost zero through winter. • While you may have forgotten about
in the winter season. This means that • Just because it is cold does not mean that your lawn in winter, pay attention to
less watering is required in the garden vegetable gardens are a no-go, especially it now. Scarify and remove all dead
overall. However, water-stressed plants in winter rainfall areas and regions that do growth and winter debris from your
will be more vulnerable to the cold, so not get severe frost. Beetroot, cabbage, lawn to encourage light and moisture
ensure your garden gets enough water carrot and spinach will do well in frost- to enter the soil and encourage good
to make it through winter. free areas such as KZN and Mpumalanga, growth in summer. Caution: don’t start
• Try not to water your garden before a while celery, parsley and turnips are best watering lawns now, as it is far too
cold front hits, as the water may freeze, for areas in the Cape. early.
causing damage or death to your plants. • Always water your garden in the morning
during the cold winter season. This We hope these tips encourage you to
July: Winter is always welcome prevents the water from freezing and enjoy your winter garden. For more
• Even though it is cold and dry outside, a damaging delicate plant roots. Also, information on Water Wise, visit the
winter garden needs as much care and plant growth slows down in winter so the Rand Water website and click on the
attention as a summer one. Caring for frequency of watering can be decreased Water Wise logo. Alternatively email
your garden during the winter season slightly. waterwise@randwater.co.za

14 • Issue 4 2023 • The Villager