Page 36 - Kyalami Issue 4 December 2025

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
GARDENING
Set your Garden on Autopilot

in December

ith thoughtful preparation, LAWN CARE
gardens can thrive even while To keep your lawn looking
Wyou’re away. From mowing lawns perfectly manicured while
to the correct height and applying slow you’re away, a robotic lawn
release fertiliser, to setting up timers mower such as the Husqvarna
for irrigation and mulching beds, small Automower™ is a smart
steps ensure that plants remain healthy investment. These devices work
in your absence. Planning ahead allows autonomously on programmable
gardens to maintain their beauty, letting schedules regardless of weather
homeowners return to a welcoming conditions, maintaining a
outdoor space. consistent height. Modern mowers
handle slopes, navigate obstacles
Gardening often goes into a holding pattern at and return to their charging stations
the bottom of the to-do list when you’re getting on their own. With GPS tracking and full
ready to go away. However December is also connectivity, you can monitor and adjust
when your garden needs more attention as the settings remotely – whether you’re sitting on
summer heat encourages rapid growth. With the beach or hiking in the mountains.
planning and preparation, you can help it cope While a robotic lawn mower may not be in solutions using plastic bottles: drill small
on its own while you’re away. everyone’s budget, you can still prepare your holes in the cap, fill with water and insert
lawn to cope before you leave. upside down into the soil near plant roots.
Mow it to the correct height
for your grass type – generally
around 6-8 cm for most warm GARDEN PREPARATION TASKS
season grasses. Leaving it •Loosen compacted soil around beds
slightly taller helps shade the and trees with a fork or spade to boost
soil and retain moisture. Apply water flow and root access - especially
a slow release fertiliser to helpful in hot, dry weather.
gradually feed your lawn 2-3
days before you leave, then •Mulch generously to lock in moisture,
water your lawn thoroughly to regulate temperature and suppress
prevent fertiliser burn. With weeds.
that done, being away for •Prune and weed thoroughly – cut
a couple of weeks without back overgrown plants, prune dead and
mowing isn’t likely to result in diseased branches and remove existing
major overgrowth. weeds to eliminate competition for water

IRRIGATION and nutrients. It will also reduce mainte-
MANAGEMENT nance on your return.
Installing an automated •Deadhead flowers to tidy up and en-
irrigation system with a courage continued blooming.
timer is another smart
investment for any gardener. •Protect sensitive plants from the heat
Drip irrigation systems with shade cloth.
are particularly efficient,
delivering water directly to •Group containers in semi-shade to
plant roots while minimising boost humidity; nest small pots in damp
evaporation. Set the timer compost for insulation.
for early morning or late
evening when temperatures •Harvest ripe produce to prevent pests
are cooler. For a two week and spoilage.
December absence, consider
watering every 2-3 days. •Clear debris such as fallen leaves and
rotting fruit to reduce disease risk.
Even without a full
irrigation system, you can •Apply pest deterrents to vulnerable
attach basic hose timers plants.
to outdoor taps. These •Do a general tidy up, clearing leaves
affordable devices allow from patios and pathways and trimming
you to schedule watering back fast-growing edges. A quick once-
for specific durations and over with a battery-powered blower or
frequencies. Connect them trimmer can tidy things up quickly with
to soaker hoses or sprinklers very little effort.
strategically positioned
around your garden beds. The time you invest before leaving will
enable your garden to look after itself.
For container plants and The key is preparation.
smaller garden areas,
consider self-watering globes, www.husqvarna.co.za
spikes or self-watering

34 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 4 • 2025