With the holiday season around the corner there is much to be done to get gardens looking their best so that home-owners can take a break to spend much-desired quality time with family and friends.
It is time for fun in the sun without being involved in back-breaking and time-consuming tasks, so get started early, says Joe Pietersen, whose Brentwood Nursery in Durban has relocated to the Bluff and is now known as The Nursery @ The Park.
A priority right now, he says, should be to remove weeds from flower beds.
Lawns, he adds, should also be getting your attention, but he points out that spraying herbicide on ugly weeds in the lawn can often discolour the grass.
“Treat your lawn now to allow sufficient time for the grass to recover. Also, tidy up overgrown shrubs and remove unwanted and dead material now.”
Pietersen advises gardeners to pinch back any spent blooms on annuals to promote new growth, and he suggests gardeners apply a generous helping of good-quality organic compost to all beds, lightly turning the compost into the soil.
“Add a sprinkling of organic fertiliser and water well. Do this now to avoid any unpleasant odours drifting around the property over the festive season. Compost is not only essential as a soil conditioner, but also aids in moisture retention.”
Gardeners should now also be keeping an eye out for mildew, which can become very active at this time of the year, says Pietersen.
“Try to stay away from chemical sprays if possible. A mixture of powdered milk and water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid often remedies the problem.”
Other advice for this time of year is to water the garden well, as it is better for the garden to receive a good drenching two or three times a week than a quick daily sprinkle.
Pietersen also thinks it’s a good idea to apply a layer of mulch to all beds to protect the garden against summer heat.
“Also, ensure that all irrigation sprinklers, hoses and fittings are in good working order. This will free up a lot of time over the holidays and will go a long way towards saving our precious water.
“Trim and tidy all edges and pathways, top up gravel surfaces – and be ready to receive your guests. And remove any fallen leaves and debris to the compost heap and tidy up the compost area.”
Pietersen suggests adding colour to the garden by mass-planting seedlings of quality, annual bedding plants now.
“It is amazing how quickly they can perform if composted and fertilised well at the time of planting,” he says, adding that strategically placed, colourful hanging baskets in the garden and on patios will bring instant colour.
“Tidy up all potted plants and refurbish stained or faded containers. A coat of fresh paint works wonders.”
Pietersen also advises gardeners to get ready to recycle.
“Install different containers for cans, glass, plastic and the masses of paper that get wasted over the festive season. Always consider the environment.” - The Independent on Saturday
* For any further information about The Nursery @ The Park on the Bluff telephone 073 527 5121.