Great time of year to spring clean your garden
PURSES are thin after the festive season and energy levels at a low ebb but passion for the garden never dwindles.
The second half of the Eastern Cape summer is a great time for the gorgeous perennial petunia ranges, which like it hot (like petunia “cascadia indian summer” with a mix of orange hues), and the “crazytunia” range.
Prune overgrown shrubs, except those which will flower and produce berries later.
Trim hedges and topiaries to keep them looking good, and in shape.
Dig up and split overcrowded perennials like agapanthus, watsonias and irises.
Harvest ripening veggies daily if needed – don’t leave them to pass their prime.
Water two or three times a week if rain stays away.
Keep weeds under control – try mulching with bark chips or attractive rooibos – check diligently for pests and diseases.
Use prunings of aromatic herbs like catmint, lavender and rosemary as an insect-repellent mulch around plants.
Also, take a moment to reflect on a few international gardening trends in 2016.
Then, make some resolutions and form some proudly South African trends of your own for 2017.
Trend 1: Use space
Vertical gardening with culinary herbs, terrariums, baby veggies (like cherry tomatoes) in pots, mixed herbs with colourful foliage like purple basil and variegated thyme are in!
Another great option is a potted garden with different salad types, combined with edible flowers.
Never despair at lack of space – even if you’re in a flat without a balcony you can sink your hands into soil and play with pretty veggies and herbs in containers of all kinds.
Trend 2: Indigenous
The indigenous garden is not meant to be a wild bush full of ‘ugly’ plants which are simply left alone.
It can structured, stylish, carefully selected, well pruned and properly watered.
Love your homegrown plants and use them to the maximum as formal hedging or topiary.
Pick them to create a typical cottage garden, or a dramatic ‘dry garden’ – they are all waiting for you in nurseries!
Trend 3: Less fuss
Choose plants which are easy to maintain. Create different water-use zones by grouping those plants that have similar water needs together.
Most modern hybrids of old favourites are bred for more staying power, less hassle and less water wastage.
Trend 4: Sustainable
Harvest and recycle every drop of water for your garden.
Get a rainwater tank, lead your bath and kitchen water outside.
Some quick water-saving tips include:
Repair leaking taps and hosepipes;
Replace damaged hose fittings (they really don’t cost much!);
Water deeply and less frequently; and
Schedule watering for early morning or evening. — Life is a Garden