J U N E

By now most plants in the garden are dormant, or growing very slow due
to the cold weather and short days.

This is an excellent time to transplant deciduous woody plants.

**Water the plant 3 days before moving it. Dig a hole in the new
position, loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole, mixing a generous
amount of compost and 60 grams superphosphate. When digging out plant
to be transplanted, lift the root ball carefully with much soil
“intact”, using a hessian sack.

Back fill around the root ball, firming the soil around with your
hands, until level with the surrounding soil. Water the replaced soil
well. Some of the plant branches can be cut back to reduce the
transpiration rate. Avoid over watering.**

Now is also the time for “formative pruning”. It is imperative to
prune Spirea and Camellia Japonica to increase flowering.

Lift and divide perennials if not already done. Plant frost hardy
woody shrubs and perennials.

Carry out maintenance on your pond. Re-pot waterlilies if necessary.
Clear the pond of debris lying at the bottom, preferably without
removing the water.

Water new plantings once per week, mature plantings once per months.

Other plants requiring regular watering during winter are :
camellias, magnolias, azaleas and proteas

To ensure maximum flowering.

Feed winter annuals with 2-3-2 or 3-1-5. Avoid over watering
indigenous winter flowering annuals i.e. African Daisies and
Livingstone Daisies (Bokbaaivygies) as they become prone to fungal
diseases.