Page 34 - Waterfall City Dec 2023_Jan 2024 Issue
P. 34
Waterfall City News
BRACE YOURSELF!
With El Niño comes the threat of a harsh summer
By Emile Bolton, STM Landscaping
E l Niño is a complex, natural
weather phenomenon
that brings about changes
to the climate in different
regions around the world. El Niño
events come about due to the
warming of ocean temperatures
in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
As a result, air pressure changes, which
causes the trade winds that blow
consistently from east to west (over the
tropical Pacific Ocean) to weaken and
reverse. The reversal of these winds
has a knock-on effect, which alters
weather conditions on a global scale.
The temperatures in some places warm
up, others cool down and some remain
unchanged. Rainfall patterns are How to manage your garden 2. Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around
largely affected. during a hot and dry summer: your plants to retain moisture and
1. Watering: Water deeply and reduce weed growth. This helps
In South Africa, a hot and dry summer frequently to encourage deep root keep the soil cooler and reduces
is predicted on the Highveld this year growth. Water early in the morning evaporation. Mulch is organic matter,
as El Niño moves in. The expected or late in the evening to reduce such as shredded bark, that is used
lack of rain has the potential to cause evaporation. Be sure to use water to cover the soil. Not only does the
drought, as it has done previously. Not wisely as there may be a risk of mulch have functional purposes, as
only do we in Gauteng receive less drought. Although we know El Niño mentioned above, but it also makes
rain, but we also experience blistering is looming, the severity of its potential the landscape look more attractive.
heatwaves. Given this, extreme effect remains uncertain. Thus, it is
weather conditions are to be expected imperative to be conscious of your The best time to lay down your mulch
over the coming months. water consumption. is before the general temperature
32 Waterfall City Issue 12 2023/Issue 1 2024
