What to do this month
• Regularly deadhead blooms to encourage more flowers. On hot days take note of which flowers cope best with heat. • During the hot, dry summers in the winter rainfall region, choose indigenous heat-resistant plants that will stand up to these conditions. Spread a thick blanket of coarse compost or bark nuggets to help retain moisture in the soil, and prevent wind blowing away sand and top soil. • If the weather is hot and dry in the summer rainfall region, water deeply and thoroughly once a week, rather than ineffectual daily sprinklings. Reduce large areas of labour-intensive thirsty lawns by planting groundcovers, or replace lawn with paving or gravel. • To discourage lettuce from bolting, spread temporary shade netting over the bed. Plant a few lettuce seedlings at a time, keep soil moist, and harvest while young and succulent. ‘Great Lakes’ and ‘Butterhead’ cope well with summer heat. • Watch for yellow and black caterpillars that tunnel into the leaves and bulbs of nerine, clivia and amaryllis. Spray with Margaret Roberts caterpillar insecticide. • Cut back poinsettias and chrysanthemums to encourage bushy growth and more flowers. Hydrangeas flower generously at this time and should be watered deeply, mulched and the foliage misted on hot days. • Water fruit trees well once a week. Spray for fruit fly and pick up and destroy or bury fallen fruit that may be infested with the larvae of fruit fly. >>