What to do in your Garden this Month

Plant and sow :

• Sow the following herbs in containers this month: basil, chives, dill, nasturtiums, parsley and watercress. Keep the soil moist until the first shoots appear. Pinch out new growth on the seedlings to encourage them to become compact and bushy.
• Sow seeds of colourful bedding fillers like primulas, cinerarias, pansies, poppies and stocks.
• Fill shady areas of your garden with the colourful foliage of coleus, which grows well in light to fairly deep shade.

Nourish :

• Feed lemon trees with 3:1:5 or 8:1:5 and water well. Surround the trees with a thick layer of organic mulch.
• Use grass and plant clippings (from pruning) as mulch in your garden beds.
• Mulch azaleas and japonicas and water three times a week.
• Water the entire garden early in the morning every 3-4 days. Give it a proper soaking, rather than watering lightly more often.

Origanum

Origanum is a perennial herb that is native to Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia. The word origanum is derived from two Greek words meaning “mountain” and “to delight in”. Origanum grows to a height of 20-80cm and produces masses of pink-purple flowers in spring and summer. It became popular in America as the “pizza herb” when returning World War Two soldiers brought it back from Italy.

Planting Tips :

• Plant origanum in full sun, in well-draining soil that does not stay soggy after watering.

Taking Care of the Big Stuff

Bright idea - place a plastic sheet on the lawn and save yourself the extra work of cleaning up when planting shrubs or preparing beds.

The Enchantment of a Twilight Garden

When the sun sets, there is beauty and tranquillity to be enjoyed in our African gardens.

There is a simple elegance and peacefulness in a garden designed to be at its best in the evening. It is a place where white- and pale-coloured plants take on an iridescent beauty, and where strong colours darken, adding a mysterious quality.

A twilight garden need not be large. It can be part of the main garden, or situated near a patio. In this garden it is best if the design is kept simple and uncluttered, with well-lit paths constructed of light-coloured paving. A suitable focal point could be a small pool where moonlight is reflected in the water. White and stone urns, statues and benches are more visible.

Seasonal planting

White flowers are most successful in evening gardens where they remain visible long after other colours have faded. Cream, lemon and pale pink flowers and light-coloured foliage are also useful for lighting up dark corners, remaining visible long after darker shades have merged with the shadows.

What to do in your Garden in January

 

It’s time to plan for the year ahead and establish some new good gardening habits.

Quotes

"Ladybirds will flock to your garden if you plant fennel, dill and coriander."

"Zinnias keep their firm, fleshy appearance when many other plants wilt in the summer heat."

Plant trees to keep your home cool

When planted correctly, trees can help to keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter. Here are a few guidelines on how you should arrange trees around your home:

• Plant deciduous trees on the north (sunny) side of your home. During winter they will shed their leaves to let the sunlight in, and in summer their foliage will help to keep your home cool.
• Climbers (like bougainvillea, Chinese jasmine and clematis) planted against the wall of your home reduce indoor temperatures by 5% in summer and lower the loss of heat by 30% in winter.
• Trees planted on the east and west sides of your home will screen it from early morning and late afternoon sun. Make sure you choose low growing varieties that will block out the low-angle sun that is typical at this time of day.

Nature’s little helpers

Treasure the insects and birds that care for your garden. Ladybirds (who love to eat pesky aphids) will flock to your garden if you plant fennel, dill and coriander. Birds (who eat a variety of garden pests) are attracted by fynbos, Cape Honeysuckle and shrubs with berries.

Ideas for busy little bodies

Towards the end of the school holidays it can be difficult to find new ways to keep your children entertained. Here are a few ways to keep them busy in the garden:

• Give them a pair of secateurs (only if they are old enough to use them responsibly) and ask them to deadhead your roses and faded perennials.
• Send them on a snail hunt and pay them R1 for each snail they find (of course, this depends on how many snails you have in your garden!)
• Buy seeds of easy-to-grow plants like marigolds and Californian poppy, and get your children to sow, water and tend to their new crops.

Plant zinnias for hardy summer colour

Zinnias are known for their ability to add colour to your garden in the hottest months of the year. They are easy to grow and keep their firm, fleshy appearance when many other plants wilt in the summer heat. Plant zinnia seedlings in well-drained soil, making sure you add plenty of compost. Zinnia plants need lots of sun and a thorough watering once a week. Zinnias make good companion plants with salvia, marigolds and ornamental grasses.

Make some gardening resolutions

Most New Year’s resolutions are pretty hard to stick to, so why not turn over a new leaf in your garden instead? Consider adding these resolutions to your 2012 list:

1.       Add more indigenous plants to your garden. They’re far easier to grow and you will save considerably on your water bill.

2.       Wherever possible, buy pest- and disease-resistant plant varieties. The fewer chemicals you have to use in your garden, the better.

3.       Pull up weeds as soon as they appear. Young weeds are far easier to uproot than old, established ones.

4.       Discover the benefits of mulch by using it in all your garden beds. It looks attractive, helps to keep the soil moist and discourages the growth of weeds.

5.       Resolve to spend more time in your garden this year. Numerous studies have proved the therapeutic benefits of caring for plants and spending time outdoors.

6.       Start a gardening journal. Make a note each month of which plants look their best, what needs extra care and which pests are a problem. It will be far easier to plan ahead for the following year if you know what to expect in advance.

Shade solutions

Not sure what to grow in shady areas of your garden? Try colourful coleus, begonias, impatiens, aquilegia, bacopa, mimulus, trailing torenia and variegated plectranthus.