GARDENING TIPS

When most things seem uncertain and it feels like Spring one day and winter the next, I have to admit, I like the familiarity of the August winds we are experiencing. The August winds bring change, and our gardens are starting to wake up. It feels like most of the shrubs and trees have been dormant during winter, and this was to protect themselves and listening to customers it was for good reason as the weather has been extremely strange but even so many plants have been damaged by the cold or for some even black frost.

What does your garden look like, it is time to go and assess the damage and start to cut back and prune those plants which were hit. While investigating my garden, I am excited to note that my Fairy Magnolia’s buds are just starting to open, the azalea is in full bloom and my clivia are starting to flower. Although dry and wintery and the signs of Spring being around the corner, I am loving the pansies and violas blooming beautifully, the stocks adding a sweet-smelling fragrance and the poppies in sunny spots attracting the bees.

Lawn Care

I can see from the copious amounts of lawn dressing going into your gardens and getting prepared for a luxuriant lawn this summer. If you haven’t taken this step, you have to remember first to mow your lawn short, then scarify the dead or matted grass by raking it, then my favourite part is spiking the lawn to aerate it and last but not least apply a thin layer of lawn dressing (about 1cm thick). Considering it is still so dry, you will have to water it in.

Planting

Start “sowing seeds of love, seeds of love…” (Music by Tears for Fears)

We have got some sensational new varieties of seeds in stock, mainly in the edible section e.g. chillis and tomatoes and basil but also for pet grass seeds for your pets (I know that my cats love chewing on the grass and smelling the catnip – it drives them a little crazy!)

Flower seeds to plant now are alyssum, aster, Canterbury bells, cleome, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia (bedding), dianthus, impatiens, larkspur, lobelia, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, salvia, verbena.

Garden Tasks and Feeding

Instead of heading to a crowded gym to get that Summer body, just head into your garden for a full body workout:
Trim back about 1/3 of your straggly plants to give them a better shape. Cut back your hydrangeas severely and start feeding with a fertilizer high in phosphate e.g. BioRock, Superphosphate or 2:3:2
To keep your annuals looking good, remove the dying flowers (deadheading). The more you remove the dead blooms at this stage, the more your plants will flower. Continue to fertilize on a weekly basis with fertilizer high in potassium (especially for flowers), ask one of our sales team for your favourite or even theirs. Water regularly, preferably early in the morning!
Start feeding all your shrubs and trees when spring growth appears but watch for aphids as they enjoy feasting on the new shoots and leaves. Water well. Apply Epson salts (Magnesium Sulphate) to Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) especially if they are looking a little black.
Mulch and feed your fuchsias. Apply acid compost as mulch to acid loving plants such as camelias, rhododendrons (azaleas) and gardenias.
Stake your plants to protect them from the August winds.
Apply copious amounts of mulch around all your plants to reduce weeding and evaporation of our precious water.
Lift and divide your overgrown perennials e.g. agapanthus, dietes, clivias.
If you have not finished pruning e.g. roses, fruit trees and thinning out your trees, you must do so this month.
Increase the watering of your roses to twice a week.

Bulb planting

Bulbs are becoming more and more popular. If you planted your Spring flowering bulbs, you should be enjoying your daffodils, anemones, ranunculus and hyacinth. Now is the time to think about choosing your summer flowering bulbs e.g. Amaryllis, Zantedeschia, Polyanthus, Galtonias, Crocosmia, Zephyranthes and Hymenocallis (Spider Lily).

I love how when do a little research into nature and especially plants, they can mean so much e.g. the white or beach spider lily represents positive nature, freshness and a simple life which is something I strive for and I like that plants can remind me of this especially when the world around is stressed, fast paced and looking for instant solutions.

Enjoy the prepping for Spring as all too soon, the weather will be warmer and the days longer and winter will be long forgotten. Enjoy the present and what your garden and plants are sharing with you!

I have noted that this winter, the citrus has been very slow in fruiting. I haven’t given up on it yet but my goodness, how I long for lemons and limes from my trees which have only just recently finished blooming.