Preparing your garden for WINTER

STODELS GARDEN CENTRE IN CAPE TOWN HAS THE FOLLOWING TIPS FOR WINTER GARDENING:

Trimming - In June fruit trees like apricots, peaches and plums are ripe for pruning. Remove branches and stems on sweet peas to promote strong upward growth. Other trees and shrubs that need to be pruned include autumn-flowering shrubs such as barleria, pride of India, ribbon bush, and wild dagga. Cut back evergreen herbs like rosemary and thyme. Roses need to be pruned after transplanting. Plant and sow - Plant coolseason bedding plants such as alyssum, calendula, dianthus, lobelia, nemesia, pansies, sweet peas, and violas. Azaleas, camellias, and liliums can be planted in dappled shade. Add Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, onions, radishes, turnips, and members of the cabbage family - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and spinach - to your vegetable garden. Feed - Remember to do some proper root-feeding before you hibernate. Winter- and spring-flowering seedlings need organic fertiliser every two weeks, as well as weekly watering during drier spells. Feed lemon trees with a 2:3:2 general fertiliser. Feed bulbs with bulb food once every two weeks and water well. Check the edges of sweet peas. If they’re brown and papery, feed with a 3:1:5 fertiliser. General- Before it becomes too cold and wet to venture outdoors tick off tasks on the to-do list. Move worm farms to a warmer spot out of the rain. Adjust sprinkler systems to avoid overwatering. Get pruning gear ready to trim fruit trees and roses. Sharpen loppers and secateurs and find your gardening gloves. Stock up on a good sealant for protecting freshly cut branches. Treat winter lawns with care. Keep on mowing regularly because if grass grows too tall it can attract lawn fungi. Refrain from lawn dressing at this time of the year to avoid smothering the grass. Boost root mass with a 2.3.2 organic fertiliser.