THIS MONTH

WITH the relentless heat we have been experiencing it is best to put some water on the more sensitive plants such as the Plectranthus, pictured. If not, they will wilt to a point of no return which means they need to be cut back and wait for the next season to flower. Pity, as this is their flowering period.

Continue fertilising for the next three months. With lots of rain, heat and long days still around until late next month, there will still be lots of growth. Wait until it rains before putting fertiliser on your garden. This allows the fertiliser to be evenly distributed throughout the soil and to the root system of the plants.

Remove dead or diseased leaves and branches. This is where most of the decay happens in plants and this can result in the loss the plants. Use a sharp pair of secateurs to prune your plants.

Continue cutting your lawns at least once a week. Leave as much growth on and just remove the tops of the grass. Continue feeding at least once a month with a high nitrogen fertiliser such as 5.1.5. Apply a handful per m2.

Mulch flower beds with leaves or buy a well decomposed compost and apply a thin layer over the root base of shrubs.

Lift groundcovers such as Agapanthus, Tulbaghia and Dietes, Prepare the soil with lots of compost. Split the pants and replant. Water well for the first few weeks. The new growth will be much stronger.

Watch for fungal and insect infestation during the hot humid days. This is when plants are most vulnerable to such an attack. Treat these according to the problems you encounter.

Check for invasive aliens in your garden and remove them. I will write next month on the most common alien weeds in your garden and how to eradicate them. | Chris Dalzell