Page 18 - INTRA MUROS November 2020

GARDENING

What to do in your garden

this November

ow that summer is here, these to baskets, containers and beds to are water-wise.
November gardening tips will help reduce watering needs. 13. Seedlings of annuals can still be
Nmake sure your garden is in top 6. Weed the garden to eliminate planted during this month – they will
shape. unnecessary competition for water. flower from now until autumn.
7. Invest in a rainwater tank or any 14. If you plan to go away during
There are many ways to keep your garden suitable container to harvest precious December, slow down your lawn
going in the event of water restrictions rainwater for the garden. Investigate growth by abstaining from applying
or just a lack of rainfall. Around this time the harvesting and use of grey water. fertiliser this month and by decreasing
every year, the spectre of water restrictions 8. Shower with a bucket, especially if the amount of water applied in the last
looms and this year is no exception, you’re in the habit of running the week.
because the rains have yet to arrive. shower until the water heats up. You’ll
be surprised at how much clean water A MATTRESS
Wisen up on watering: you can collect this way to use on
1. Level 2 water restrictions are in place your plants. Keep showers as short as
in Johannesburg, which prohibits possible.
watering of gardens between 06h00 9. The first step in conserving water is
and 18h00 from 1 September to 31 to mulch every bed. This prevents LIKE
March. This encourages us to water the evaporation of what little water is
early morning or early evening when available and keeps the ground cool,
evaporation is low. The restrictions taking further stress off the plants.
also disallow the filling of swimming 10. Another strategy to adopt in the NO OTHER
pools and washing of cars, paving and event of water shortages is to plant
driveways with a hosepipe. up containers with brightly coloured
2. Check sprinkler systems to ensure that perennials or roses, as a few colourful
they are only watering planted up containers make a lot of impact and
areas and not hard landscaping areas. use less water.
3. Watch your plants and get to know 11. Fertilising regularly to keep plants The World Leaders in Sleep
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watering. If watering by hand, use a also regular garden tasks that become HOME OF
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stop valve. 12. The obvious strategy is to opt for
4. Spread a thick layer of mulch in all drought tolerant plants and to make
beds to retain moisture, keep soil these the majority in your garden.
temperature down and save water. Indigenous plants are drought
5. Add water retention granules, peat, tolerant, but not all indigenous plants
vermiculite, perlite or clay aggregate

16 INTRA MUROS NOVEMBER 2020

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