THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH
LARGE lawns will need rejuvenation in spring as lawns go semi dormant in Durban during the winter months. Cut your lawns as short as possible. Take an iron rake and rake hard so that you remove all the old grass from last year, known as thatch. If not removed, this old grass can cause fungal problems, prevent water and fertiliser reaching the roots and possibly lead to the death of the lawns. Rake the grass runners, which will break and initiate new growth from where it is broken. Spike the soil to improve aeration and reduce compaction then sprinkle a handful of Super-phosphate per square metre over the entire area. Top dress with lawn dressing which you can buy at any nursery and rake evenly with a rubber rake. Water well until the rains arrive.
Mulch all the shrub beds with either leaf mould or mushroom compost. This allows the roots to remain warm and also prevents moisture loss.
It is also time to fertilise all your flower beds. In spring you need to encourage a healthy, strong root system. Super-phosphate is needed to improve such a root system so in September sprinkle a handful per square metre into the root area of all shrubs. Water well.
If you need to plant trees or shrubs, now is a good time to do it. It will allow the roots time to establish before spring and the first rains. Try to get plants that are a decent size and have an established root system. Healthy roots mean healthy plants. When you do plant, use lots of compost and add Super-phosphate to the mix to strengthen the root system. Also make sure the tree or shrub is planted straight. If not, it will try to grow straight thus causing a kink in the stem. Not good for future growth.
Add shrubs, ground covers and annuals which give colour, form and texture to your garden. Plants in particular that are in flower include the Cape Honey Suckle, Tecoma capensis. Plumbago auriculata, the shade loving Mackaya bell and Bulbine natalensis. Add indigenous grasses to your garden in particular Aristida junciformis.
Watch for insects that may infest your plants over spring as they enjoy the new soft spring growth. Try to select plants that flower well and attract butterflies and birds. There is nothing better than having a garden full of life. Prevent planting too many exotics and select those indigenous plants that will fit into your garden and which are manageable. Selection of plants is very important because you may plant a tree that gets too big for your garden or has roots that will damage your pipes or paving. Clivia miniata will be in flower soon.
The right selection of plants will determine how beautiful your garden is and you need to do it right from the beginning or it could be expensive.
Try to select plants that do well in dry conditions as the recent drought has wreaked havoc on many a beautiful garden.
Plant more water tolerant plants in particular succulents as they have adapted over thousands of years to grow in dry conditions.
Aloes in particular are one of our most spectacular plants that need very little care to give maximum beauty.