Page 22 - Intra Muros September Issue 2024

GARDENING

LOW MAINTENANCE GARDENING

By Elize Malan

he ideal garden would require Limited irrigation, with the aid of rain during
minimal watering, less pruning and the growing season, will be sufficient.
Tvery little fertilising. We should have
time to enjoy our gardens. Leaf size is important. Small-leaved plant
varieties are more suitable as hedges, and
There are several aspects to consider for a as a rule, large-leaved plants need more
low maintenance garden: water.

Lawns We are not limited to indigenous plants;
Lawns are expensive and time-consuming. that’s because plants from Mexico and
If you need a garden with a green, flat Australia tick all the right boxes. Plants Try not to be super tidy. The leaves in
area, choose a lawn variety that matches endemic to Gauteng are often dormant the plant bed can add attractive colour
the climate to cut down on water usage during winter. Highveld grasses turn an combinations to the overall picture and
and maintenance. Remove odd angles and interesting grey-brown colour during winter promote wildlife.
awkward corners so you have a lawn that is and irrigation is unnecessary.
easier to mow. Leave compost on the soil surface around
Self-seeding annuals will re-appear year mature plants. Tilling the soil is labour
after year when weather conditions are intensive; allow for moisture loss and
suitable. They require little attention. encourage weeds.

Watering Fertilising
We live in an arid country with limited and Indigenous plants and plants from arid
unreliable water resources. So, it would be regions require little or no fertiliser.
a mistake to plant an expensive tropical
garden, only to see the plants die when the Over-fertilising will produce soft shoots
required water is not available. prone to disease that will require more
Start thinking about installing an artificial pruning, and more water. We often try to
lawn. It is almost maintenance-free and is achieve a mature plant in a short time.
suitable for children and pets alike. Rather enjoy the journey of your small tree
growing and eventually providing a little
Drought-tolerant plants shade.
Xeriscaping is the process of landscaping,
or gardening, that reduces or eliminates By thinking outside the box and making
the need for irrigation. It is a great way to small changes such as these, it is possible
achieve little water usage. to have a thriving, beautiful garden that
requires modest maintenance to keep it in
top form.

Small pockets of special water-loving plant Sources:
species, grouped together, will create a https://www.groundedlandscaping.co.za/15-water-
special effect without the expense of a wise-plants-garden/
complete garden irrigation system. https://www.lifeisagarden.co.za/winning-water-
wise-ways/
https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/get-
Rainwater tanks are essential, even if they gardening/10-ways-to-a-low-maintenance-garden
run dry in winter.
Tel: 012 804 1807
The low transpiration (loss of water) of Borehole water is a limited option due to Fax: 012 804 0278
succulent plants, together with hard site availability and the depletion of ground Web: www.garden-group.co.za
landscape material such as gravel or water by irresponsible users. Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
pebbles, is good for water conservation.
However, these plants do not cool down Use of mulch
their surroundings and the garden will This would include any organic material used
be very hot in summer. Rather go for to cover the soil surface. Covering open soil
evergreen, water-wise plants: they will give still remains the most useful way to reduce
a green effect throughout the year and the maintenance, improve soil and plant health,
cooling effect we need. and prevent weeds from germinating.

20 | INTRAMUROS SEPTEMBER 2024