Durban - Christmas is around the corner and guests will no doubt descend on your home to enjoy our coastal climate. Give your garden some TLC now so that you can show it off proudly to your guests.
The current erratic weather patterns are not making it easy for gardeners. High winds and lightning storms are playing havoc with gardens and swimming pools.
Here are a few of the essential must-dos :
Lawns
Lawns need to be fed with a fertiliser high in nitrogen, and organic fertilisers are definitely the nicest to use, so try Neutrog’s Blade Runner which is pure chicken manure in a powdered form. Alternatively, use any other fertiliser that is indicated specifically for lawn use.
Cut the lawn conservatively. No more than one-third of the new growth should be removed at any cut and avoid yellow patches. A very short cut in summer will damage your lawn and encourage weeds to take hold as well as opportunistic insects such as crickets and mole crickets. This might mean the lawn needs to be cut more frequently, but you will be assured of a healthy lawn with strong root growth.
Colour in the garden
Annuals are expensive to use in any great quantity, so why not plant just a few attractive containers with them and place them at any of the arrival points around your home and in your entertainment area. That way, you aren’t depriving your garden of a splash of colour but you won’t outlay unnecessary money on plants that are short-lived.
Protect your soil
The easiest way to feed and nurture your plants is to mulch. Mulching is simply the process of layering a “blanket” over the soil and there are many materials you can use for this purpose such as a good quality compost (home-made or purchased), gravel or other decorative pebbles, dead leaves left over from autumn and, for vegetable crops, golden hay to keep your vegetables clean.
A thick layer of mulch (at least 5cm deep) will protect the soil from the ravages of strong winds and the sun, prevent excessive moisture loss and also feed the roots. Ground feeding birds will be encouraged to hunt in your garden and they will keep any unwanted bugs at bay.
Christmas for your wildlife
There won’t be any presents under the Christmas tree for the wildlife in your garden – unless you put them there. Why not add a few additional features to your garden that will attract birds and other beneficial insects?
Birds enjoy different areas in your garden so dot a few new birdbaths or shallow drinking bowls in and around the garden and at different heights.
Many garden centres have treats for birds such as suet balls and fruit feeders.
Avoid giving sugar water to sunbirds – rather plant shrubs with flowers that will provide nectar such as the Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) or the sunbird bush, Metarungia strobilanthus and give some thought to increasing succulent species such as aloes and succulent groundcovers now so that, in winter, you will have flowers for birds and bees.
Bees worldwide are under constant threat from the many poisons still on the market. The reality is – no bees, no pollinators, no food crops, which will affect us all. Give them a Christmas treat this year by planting small shrubs such as Margaret Roberts’ lavender (a real beauty), rosemary, the perennial basil and any of the perennial or annual salvia species, or groundcovers such as thyme and origanum. Most of these can be used for culinary purposes. - Daily News
* Gray is principal of The School of Garden Design that offers courses to garden enthusiasts, domestic gardeners and anyone wanting to enter the gardening industry. Email [email protected] or visit www.schoolofgardendesign.co.za