Start planning now for spring to make sure it’s filled with seasonal beauty.
The end of summer is hot and sultry, with many garden plants taking immense strain from the weather conditions. At times like these spring flowers are not in the forefront of the gardeners’ mind. On reflection, this harsh period is the ideal time to start thinking about and preparing for the spring garden. All the homework and planning that is carried out now will ensure that spring is filled with the finest flowers.
Many of the most important spring flowers need to be planted out as young seedlings in autumn. Numerous gardeners miss the boat and then make the cardinal error of trying to play catchup when spring arrives and they see foxgloves, delphiniums, primulas, poppies and so many other beautiful blooms in other gardens. Well, the strong message here is that when you see these spring-flowering annuals in bloom it’s too late for you to plant them for the current season – planting and growing schedules need to planned at the end of summer. Actual planting then commences as temperatures drop and autumn sets in.
Soil preparation can be undertaken well in advance. In certain circumstances where summer flowers have finished early, the soil can be turned over and a ‘green manure’ crop sown in late summer or early autumn. Marigolds work well for this purpose. Seeds are scattered over the soil, allowed to germinate, and grow until the soil needs to be prepared for the spring flowers. At this point the young marigold plants are turned over and dug into the soil. This helps to improve soil structure and provides additional nutrients. Compost and animal manure can also be added at this time.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2019 de The Gardener.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 2019 de The Gardener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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FIRE AND Feathers!
On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!
GET THE ladies in!
At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.
Pretty and functional
If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.
Dried Seedheads & Pods
Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...
What makes a garden sustainable?
It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.