M A R C H

Excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and climbers. The cool
temperature of autumn helps new plants to establish itself more easily
being under less stress. In spring the plants are able to grow
quicker having developed a good root system during winter.
Remove summer annuals during March.

Annuals

Winter annual seed planted in seed trays before early April will
start flowering in Mid-May.
Pinch back sweet pea seedlings (sown in February) when they are 10
cm high to the 3rd leaf from the ground to promote development of
strong side shoots. Be careful not to over water as they are prone to
root rot disease.
Sow Namaqualand daisies, prepare you soil by tilling it, giving a
light water then scattering seed. Lightly rake the seed in 10 mm
deep.
Keep the soil moist until the seed have germinated. As the
seedlings grow water deeply, but less often.
Bokbaai vygies can be sown now, mix the seed with wet river sand to
aid even spread sowing.

Bulbs

Plant winter bulbs e.g. daffodils, sparaxis, ixias and freesias.
Place them at the correct depth in the soil and ensure that they do
not dry out.
Lift your flame lilies, yellow or pink arums once they have died
down and store them in some peat in a dark, rat-free cupboard for the
winter months. Alternatively they may be left in the ground but make
sure they are not irrigated from April to October.

Lawns

Check your lawn on a regular basis for the grey/green lawn
caterpillar. Which are active at night and like moist, cool
conditions during autumn.
To establish whether you have a lawn caterpillar problem. Place a
damp sack or towel over the lawn in the evening. The following
morning lift the sack and the caterpillars will easily be seen.
Control by dosing with Karbaspray or baiting with Scatterkill.