Spring Gardens Are Made In Autumn

Now is the time to lay the foundation for a swoon-worthy spring garden

- Lizette Jonker

PREPARING THE SOIL

Yank out the last of the summer annuals and cut late summer flowers for the vase. The soil needs replenishment after nurturing plants for a full season so work in a standard bag or half a wheelbarrow of compost per m² and add two handfuls organic pellets. Dig the soil over to a depth of 30–40cm. When sowing or planting vegetables and herbs, work in worm compost or other seaweed pellet products such as Bio Ocean as this will improve the harvest dramatically. Give plants such as azaleas, hydrangeas and camellias a dressing of acid compost. Mulch after planting to lock in moisture and prevent weeds germinating.

PRUNE CLIMBERS, SHRUBS AND DECIDUOUS PERENNIALS