August in the Garden: Grow, Bloom, Thrive!

As August unfolds, our gardens are brimming with signs that spring is just around the corner. From the fragrant charm of fynbos to the striking blooms of lilies, this is the month to celebrate colour, growth, and renewal. In this newsletter, we explore how to nurture these beauties in your own garden and share essential tips for keeping your beds, borders, and containers thriving. Whether you’re captivated by South Africa’s indigenous treasures or looking to give your plants the best possible start for the season ahead, you’ll find inspiration and expert advice in our latest articles.

Fall in love with fynbos and lilies

Celebrate the last month of winter with vibrant lilies and spectacular fynbos.

Luxury lilies

• In the spotlight: The calla lily (Zantedeschia sp.) is a remarkable flowering plant that epitomises sophistication. Available in a variety of colours, these beauties perform best in full to semi-sun with moist soil. Grow them in containers on the patio or along bed edges to create a stylish, vibrant border. Transplant your calla lilies from the end of August followed by a monthly dose of fertiliser during their flowering period.

Top tip: Calla lilies require a dormant period once flowering has ceased. During this time, refrain from watering as much to allow the plant to die back.

• If you are looking for a local plant with personality and quirk, try the pineapple lily (Eucomis). This charmer is a miniature floral representation of the pineapple fruit, so you can only imagine the attitude this plant packs. They are very frost and cold tender, so grow them in containers where they can be moved when needed. Pineapple lilies enjoy well-prepared, deep soil in full sun spots.
• Shade-loving, butterfly attracting, showy and cut-flower perfect – it can only be the white spider lily (Hymenocallis speciosa). They boast umbels of white, sweetly scented blooms that rest dramatically upon tall bare stems. These odd yet elegant gems are ideal for beds under trees with dappled shade or indoors with bright natural light. Water them well during flowering in fast-draining soil.

Top local lily pick: Try the Cape’s George lily (Cyrtanthus elatus) and begin a red romance with this lovely, anywhere receiving full sun to semi-shade.

Fiery fynbos

Fynbos is a specific group of vegetation that is known as Proteaceae. Fynbos has expertly adapted over millions of years and has thus become the world’s most diverse plant habitat, even more than a tropical rainforest. Wanting to add some fynbos to your garden? Shop online here.

Proteas

• King Pink is our national flower and a dramatic addition to the garden. They enjoy full sun in beds and containers, are drought and frost-hardy, and make for stunning cut flowers. Enjoy their bold blooms from July to October every year.

Ericas

• Fairy Confetti is a sweetheart shrub with masses of tiny pink flowers that add happiness to the garden. Their pretty blooms can be expected from spring, along with the many indigenous wildlife visitors they attract. Plant then in full sun in beds or pots.

Leucospermums

• The Scarlet Ribbon is a vigorous grower with no shortage of blooms. Their intricate flower heads will bring any bed or container to life with striking red, orange, and yellow details. Grow then in full sun and enjoy their flowering time from September.

Leucadendron range

• Inca Gold is a decorative foliage plant with bright green, lime/yellow leaves that contrast perfectly with their pink edges. Grow them in full sun beds where you can look forward to a unique flower show from November to September.

Top tips:

• Fynbos love organic, rich dirt and thrive in sandstone derived, acidic soil with good drainage and no manure.  
• Plant your fynbos with Bio Rock Root Builder.
• Feed your fynbos with an organic fertiliser such as Bio Ocean.
• Mulch your plants with acid compost once a year and remember to prune your fynbos after flowering or before spring for nice full growth.

 

A colourful transition from winter to spring

The winds of August bring a promise: the scent of spring is in the air! After months of nurturing your garden through the chill, your reward is near. With the days getting longer and the soil beginning to warm, August is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar. It’s time to enjoy the final stretch of cool-season colour, prep for summer planting, and get your soil in shape with the right nourishment.

Fulfilling Flowers for August

Strikingly Crazy for Daisies
August is the last hurrah for cold-loving daisy bushes, and they’re not going quietly! Expect a riot of colour from beds, borders, and containers. These easy-going bloomers are a must for late-winter gardens and a fabulous way to mask bare patches or post-frost damage.

7 Daisies to Try This Month:

1. Cape daisy (Osteospermum) – Indigenous and water-wise, blooming from spring to autumn in rich hues.
2. Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum) – Butterfly magnet with cheerful flowers in single and double forms.
3. English daisy (Bellis perennis) – Fast-spreading, blooming masses from winter into spring.
4. Golden daisy bush (Euryops) – Evergreen and compact, flowering through the cold with bright yellow heads.
5. Livingstone daisy (Mesembryanthemum) – A vibrant groundcover that begins to dazzle in August.
6. Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum) – Spreading perennials with classic white blooms.
7. Kingfisher daisy (Felicia amelloides) – Local sky-blue charmers that butterflies adore.

Feeding advice:
To get the most out of your daisies and flowering annuals, feed monthly with Bio Ocean, an organic-based fertiliser made from seaweed, fishmeal and humates. This blend promotes root growth, flowering and overall plant health.

Deadhead regularly, water consistently, and mulch well to retain moisture and discourage weeds.

Top tip: Visit your Garden Centre now for daisy seedlings and compost. Stock up on Flower & Fruit for your beds—it’s ideal for sustained blooming and improving soil fertility.

 

Blooms, Bulbs & Beauties

Sow Now:
Get a head start on spring with seeds of marigolds, ageratum, cosmos, lobularia, cleomes, godetias, lavateras, phlox, sunflowers, nicotiana, impatiens and begonias.

Plant Summer Bulbs:
Pop these into the ground or containers now:

• Gladiolus
• Calla lilies
• Cannas
• Spider lilies
• George lilies
• Tuberoses
• Galtonias
• Crocosmias
• Eucomis
• Arum lilies
• Dahlias

Feeding tip:
When planting bulbs, mix Bio Rock Root Builder into your soil or potting mix. Its phosphates and beneficial microbes encourage strong, healthy root systems for future flowering.

Reminder: Don’t cut the leaves of spring bulbs yet, they’re still storing energy for next season!

Rose lovers:
Prune now if you haven’t already. After pruning, feed generously with Flower & Fruit and water deeply. Spray stems with organic pest repellents to curb overwintering insects and fungi.

 

In the Grow Zone: Edibles

Sow from seed:
If you’re in a frost-free area, plant:

• Runner and dwarf beans
• Sweetcorn & maize
• Pumpkins & squashes
• Basil, coriander, and rocket

From seedlings:
Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, shallots, garlic, rhubarb and globe artichokes.

Edible garden feeding tip:
Top-dress with Bio Ocean, it will boost leafy growth, flavour, and resilience to pests.

Harvest now:
Pull up mature root veggies such as parsnips, beets, carrots and radishes.

Motivated Maintenance

Lawn Loving:
Begin pre-spring lawn prep now.

• Mow low
• Rake to remove thatch
• Level with topsoil
• Apply Bio Ganic Lawns for an organic nitrogen boost
• Add compost and a thin lawn dressing layer

Shade lawn seed can be sown now for lush cover in tricky areas.

Wind Whirling:

• Stake new trees and trellises to withstand gusty days.
• Tie down new growth on vines and espaliered plants.
• Mulch around edibles to retain warmth and prevent erosion.

Slug & Snail Patrol:
Plant natural barriers like mint, garlic, chives and fennel. Their scent deters pests, and they’re edible too!

Ladybugs to the rescue!
These garden allies help control aphids, scale, thrips and mealybugs. Encourage them by avoiding harmful pesticides and planting daisy-type flowers.

Frost Caution:
In very cold areas, leave frost-damaged foliage intact for now – it acts as insulation. Prune once frost risk has passed.

April in the Garden: A Season of Colour and Celebration Happy second month of autumn, gardeners! As the days grow crisper, the landscape glows with the rich hues of the season. While some plants begin their winter rest, cool-season flowers are just starting to stretch their petals, promising a burst of colour in the months ahead. Now’s the time to get your hands dirty – whether it’s planting bodacious spring-flowering bulbs that will dazzle come September or prepping the veggie patch for hearty soups and stews.

April in the Garden

Happy second month of autumn, gardeners! Although it’s getting colder, the landscape is truly warmed up by the rich colour pallet around us. With many plants going into hibernation, cool-season flowers are only just waking up and getting ready to treat us to their colourful charm. It’s time to sort out some pre-winter maintenance and prep the veggie patch for soups and stews.  

Awesome flowers to plant

• April is the perfect time to plant striking indigenous bulbs like watsonia, freesia, ixia, chincherinchee and Sparaxis. For non-indigenous bulbs, try daffodils, irises, tulips and hyacinths.
• For colour and charm, go for primula, poppy, pansy and gazania seedlings, as well as perennials such as lupins, Shasta daisies, and aquilegias.
• Planting new roses now will allow them to ‘settle in’ during winter and gain a head start in spring. Continue to spray your roses against fungal diseases such as mildew and black spot.

Awesome plants to sow

• Flowers that can still be sown are osteospermum, mesembryanthemums, winter scatter packs and the indigenous scatter pack mix. Individual varieties include Virginian stocks, calendula, and Felicia.
• Veggies to be sown now include peas, parsnips, carrots, onion Texas Grano (short day variety), beetroot Bulls Blood, and broccoli.
• For a winter production of healthy herbs, start sowing seeds in windowsill containers. High light is all that’s needed for a good crop with a reasonable indoor temperature.

Top tip: Guard against leaving containers on windowsills overnight as cold glass may harm plants.

Awesome to spray

• Aphids will still be around this time of the year, although their numbers will be less than in spring. Give your flowers a close inspection and if there are still a few around control with Plant Protector.
• Snails and slugs devastate leaves on plants and ruin their appearance. Snailban and Snailflo are just two of the products which you can purchase from your GCA Garden Centre as a solution.
• Scale is a sap-sucking insect that can cause severe damage to many types of plants in the garden. They can be eradicated by spraying with Malasol or Oleum in the cooler months.
• Autumn is the peak season for leaf miners, causing twisting and curling on new leaves. Control with regular applications of Eco Insect Control SC.

Top tip: Watch out for ant movement – the main culprits for transferring disease around the garden. Sprinkle Ant Dust around their holes and along their trails.

Awesome feeding

• Feed your winter-flowering plants such as hellebores with Bio Ocean to encourage a dramatic winter show later in the season when little else is brave enough to flower.
• When cyclamen buds start to appear on last year’s plants, start feeding them every second week with Bio Ocean.
• Add fertiliser to aloes and flowering succulents now. We recommend All Purpose or Bio Ocean.
• Help your lawn along by feeding with Bio Ganic Lawns.
• Give sweet peas a boost with Bio Ocean and train them up onto a net or lattice.
• Feed citrus trees with a Flower & Fruit and a handful of Epsom salts per tree.

Awesome maintenance

• In frost-prone areas, remember to grab some protection from your Garden Centre and be ready to cover up before you’re caught off guard.
• Mulch up to the max with living groundcovers and plant materials.
• Containers are ready for a new layer of potting soil. Remove about one third from the top and replace it with the new soil.
• Any container plants that need repotting can also be done now. Help them adapt with a liquid fertiliser after transplanting.

If you’re unsure about which fertilisers or sprays to use, remember to ask your knowledgeable garden centre advisors for help. Any other plants that need transplanting can also be done now, giving them a chance to adjust so that come springtime, they are blooming with life.

Bodacious Bulbs

Show off your gardening skills with bodacious spring-flowering bulbs. They might not look like much now, but you can certainly bank on their beauty come September. Now is the perfect time to plant bulbs as the cooler months allow roots to settle in and new growth to develop.

Top tip: Garden centres supply packaged bulbs with instructions for time of planting, depth, height of growth and light requirements. Be sure to choose the right bulb for your space.

Get the best from your bulbs

• Location: Choose a place where you can enjoy their glorious display to the fullest. Plant shorter blooms in the front of a border and medium to tall ones behind them. Also try large groups, drifts, and interspersing bulbs with spring annuals such as pansies and primulas.
• Containers: Enjoy your bulbs on the patio in pots. A depth of 10-15cm will suit most bulbs, but ranunculi, ixias, daffodils and tulips need a deeper container. Ensure your pots have adequate drainage but never allow the bulb roots to dry out. Remember to water daily.
• Soil preparation: Prepare beds or containers at least a week before planting to allow fertilisers time to dissolve, otherwise they may burn bulbs. Before planting, dig in a generous amount of compost followed by a handful of Bio Roc Root Builder and water well. For pots, add water-retaining granules to help the soil retain moisture during the dry months. Feed throughout the growing season and after flowering with Bio Ocean or 2:1:1 Bulb Food.
• Depth success: Always read planting instructions carefully. Usually, bulbs should be planted at a depth of three times the actual height of the bulb. Space large bulbs 10-15cm apart and small bulbs 3-5cm apart. Never press the base of the bulb hard into the soil as it will compact. Place a tablespoon of river sand under the bulb to ensure a secure but not too tight base.
• Watering: Start watering as soon as your bulbs are planted otherwise, they may fail to flower. Even though no foliage is showing, activity is taking place. The bulb establishes itself by putting out its root system and for this it needs moisture. Add a layer of mulch to the soil to help retain moisture.

Remember that spring-flowering bulbs don’t like areas with excessive heat radiation as they prefer cool soil. Avoid areas along driveways, paths or sunny walls unless some form of protection is provided. Also avoid using fresh manure as this may burn bulbs.

Bulbs to befriend

Plant these at the end of April: anemone, babiana, fressias, hyacinths, ipheion, ixias, muscari, Ornithogalum, ranunculus, sparaxis, tritonias, waterblommetjies, andDutch iris.

Grow for success: Anemones, ranunculus and indigenous bulbs (except freesias) like full sun, while daffodils prefer morning or partial sun, and freesias, hyacinths and grape hyacinths enjoy semi-shade.

Tips and trends you need to know

Happy New Year and welcome to our
January Garden Newsletter!

We’re kicking off 2025 with inspiration to help your garden flourish, including a summer grow guide packed with tips for the season, advice on caring for your clivias, and a helpful checklist to keep your January garden on track.

We’re so excited to grow together this year and celebrate the beauty of gardening with you. Plus, 2025 is a milestone year for us as we celebrate 10 years of gardening together—stay tuned for exciting updates and special surprises as the year unfolds!

Your nutritious, sweet summer grow guide

The garden is a trove of juicy treasures this time of year with an abundance of deliciousness to be grown. There’s something for even the fussiest of eaters and plenty of brag-worthy produce to harvest. Dash down to your local nursery for seed packets and seedlings trays and begin your nutritious, sweet summer gardening adventure today!

Starting off on the right root

Remember to use prepared compost and potting soil from your nursery as these products have been treated for bugs and weeds. Pick up a bag of Bio Rock Root Builder and plant with it to grow strong roots and yield more yummies. Always check the back of seed packets for sowing information and the labels on seedling trays and pots for planting instructions.

Fruit to fall in love with

Nurseries are stocked with a selection of fruit trees, seedlings, and seed packets for you to sow and plant now. Stay hydrated this summer by growing these water-rich, nutrient-dense fruits:

• Tomatoes – 94% water and high in lycopene, which helps protect cells from damage.
• Watermelon – 92% water and soaked with nutrients, antioxidants, and amino acids.
• Strawberry – 92% water, sodium and cholesterol-free, packed with fibre and low on calories.
• Cantaloupe melon (spanspek) – 90% water and 100% of the recommended daily vitamin C.
• Papaya – 88% water, aids digestion, helps with weight loss, and is loaded with vitamin A.

Super-charged veggies to chomp

Sow from seed or grow from seedling! These health-boosting, hunger-busting veggies are ready to go into the ground now:

• Beetroot – rich in folate (vitamin B9), which helps cells grow and function well.
• Capsicum – loads of vitamin C that’s important for the absorption of iron in the body.
• Leeks – low in calories and high in nutrients such as magnesium and vitamins A, C, and K.
• Radish – rich in antioxidants and minerals such as calcium and potassium.
• Spinach – a great source of fibre and loaded with iron, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
• Broccoli – get your calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc from this super veg.
• Cabbage – boasts a glorious nutrient profile including folate, potassium and magnesium.
• Carrots – high in calcium and vitamin K for healthy bones and strong teeth.
• Cauliflower – rich in fibre and B-vitamins, as well as antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Strapped on space? Grow an edible container in a sunny spot on the patio using the benefits of companion planting. Try these combos: basil and tomatoes, capsicum and spinach, carrots and leeks, radish and beetroot.

Fragrant, hearty herbs

Spice up your salads and smoothies or add a burst of flavour to your summer sundowners. These sweet-smelling herbs are ready to be sown from seed or planted out from seedling trays now:

• Spearmint
• Peppermint
• Lavender
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Lemongrass

Try this: Stuff the ends of old stockings with lavender and rosemary stalks. Pop them inside your cupboard and enjoy smelling the freshness on your clothes all day long.

Ripe and ready treats

Edibles in the garden are excited to make the journey from soil to plate. Harvest these now:

Fruit
Apricots, apples, bananas, blackberries, cherries, figs, grapes, guavas, kiwi fruit, lemons, litchis, mangoes, melon, nectarines, pawpaws or papayas, peaches, pineapples, plums, pomegranates, prickly pears, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, sweet melon, and watermelon.

Vegetables
Artichokes, asparagus, aubergines (eggplant), baby marrows, beetroot, brinjals, cabbage, carrots, celery, chives, corn, green beans, mange tout, patty pans, pumpkin, radishes, red onions, spinach, and sweet potato.

The winning water-wise way

Our summers are hot and our water is precious. Growing water-wise doesn’t mean your garden is destined to boring. On the contrary, going water-wise highlights our local gems and gives our native birdlife and butterflies a time to shine.

Consider these simple tips:

• Grow plants that are indigenous and especially suited to your region’s rainfall.
• Create different water usage zones by grouping plants with similar water needs together.
• Purchase water-retaining crystals from your nursery for beds and containers.
• Fill beds and gaps with: hairy leaves (lamb’s ear), grey leaves (lavender) and needle-like leaves (rosemary), which can all withstand wind, salt spray and drought.
• Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape. Check all your taps and hosepipes for washer damage and replace those that need it.
• When bathing pets, wash them outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they reach the ground.
• Healthy plants are happy plants, so don’t forget to fertilise with Bio Ocean – this will strengthen plants’ cell walls, which means that plants need less water and will withstand extreme temperatures.

There you have it! Your summer just got a whole lot sweeter and a ton more nutritious with Life is a Garden. Enjoy your homegrown goodness and learning how to plant water-wise while you’re at it.

January in the Garden Checklist

Get your garden into shape and looking snazzy for the new year. There’s a lot to look forward to and a huge selection of flowers and edibles to be planted now. A little maintenance goes a long way in neatening up your garden’s appearance, so be sure to check out our handy hacks.

Sow a salad

What better way to get your garden and health back on track then by sowing nutritious leafy greens for those summer salads. The following edibles can be sown now:

• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Spinach and Swiss Chard
• Beetroot (baby leaves are delish)
• Kale

Top tip: Leafy greens are very easy to grow and will reward gardeners best if you pick the leaves regularly and pinch out flower buds later in the season. Be on the lookout for cutworm, snail and slug damage to plants.

Plant a paradise

January is always a good time to plant up areas with colourful annual seedlings. The heat is on so brighten up beds by planting these sun-worshippers.

• Salvias flower throughout summer and autumn. Their upward-pointing sword-like blooms range from fire engine red to purple, deep blue and other powdery colour variations. They are waterwise and easy to grow in pots too.
• Snapdragons offer striking colours and multiple blooms that stand to attention and are simply charming. Dwarf varieties are great as pot or hanging basket fillers. Keep plants moist while young and they’ll reward you by continuing to flower into winter.
• Petunias don’t need special treatment or a lot of water either. Flowering increases as they grow, putting on a spectacular show of colour when mature. Petunias love the mild winter months too and will carry on growing in this time.

Indoor peace parade

• The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallesii) can grow in low-light conditions, which effectively means that it can thrive almost anywhere in the home. It has large, glossy green leaves, is very forgiving when not pampered, and has large, flag-like white blooms that brighten any room with an air of sophistication.
• The peace in the home plant (Soleirolia) requires bright light and regular watering. They can be combined with other plants in a mixed bowl, will be happy in a terrarium, or simply simply thrive in a pot on their own.

Pest alert!

Be on the lookout for yellow patches appearing suddenly on your lawn from early January. This is a sure sign of the night-time foraging lawn caterpillar (also known as army worm). To be sure, place a moist bag or cloth on the patch in the evening and check underneath in the morning. If it is caused by army worms, they would be crawling under the cloth thinking it is still night.  Ask your local GCA Garden Centre for the correct treatment method.

Power up plants

Remember to fertilise with Bio Ocean. Your garden and pots will benefit tremendously from a January booster. Remember to fertilise between the plants on moist soil and to water over the fertiliser afterwards.

Pruning and rose care

• A light summer pruning is recommended for roses in January. We know that it feels difficult to prune a plant that may still be flowering but it will help to extend quality flowering into winter. Cut back stems by up to one-third of their length.
• Continue using a cocktail rose spray i.e. a combination of a fungicide and insecticide every two weeks to avoid leaf drop. Fertilise monthly and add mulch or top up the existing mulch. Now all that is left to do is to continue deep watering and enjoy your blooming success over the coming months.

Shaping up

Give your Fuchsias a facelift by cutting back the stem tips after flowering. By cutting the stems back up to 5 or 10cm from the tip, you will allow it to bush out and give the plant more vigour to see the season through.

Inland gardening maintenance

• Mulch to beat the heat, to save water, and to give the plants a cooler root run. A good, thick layer around the plants will do wonders for them.
• Keep a lookout for fungus diseases encouraged by several rainy days in a row. Take samples of leaves from any affected plants (in a zip-lock bag) to your local GCA Garden Centre and get a remedy to spray with.
• The rainy season is upon us. Try to harvest as much rainwater as possible and even consider joining a pipe from a roof gutter outlet into the pool when it requires a top-up.

Coastal gardening maintenance

• Plant more chives, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, and coriander. Remember to plant your first crop of potato seeds for an early winter harvest.
• Remove or prune back low branches of trees if more sunlight is required for lawn or bedding plants below trees.

Splurge on your beloved garden a little this January and help get it back into shape. Garden centres are stocked with amazing succulents and seasonal gems for you to sneak home. Have a flower-filled summer and show-stopping start to your year. Life is a Garden, so dig in and indulge!

Source: Life is a Garden

Trend Alert

Inspired by the global movement for ecological gardening, gardeners are focusing on planting indigenous species like Cape honeysuckle, spekboom, and aloes to support local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and sunbirds.

Growing and caring for clivias

Clivias are one of South Africa’s indigenous super stunners and have become quite the collector’s dream. Luckily, you don’t have to be a horticulturist to grow these distinguished plants, you just need some back to basics know-how. Learn how to correctly harvest clivia seeds, how to grow them, and how to provide long term care for your elite lovelies.

The clivia craze

What’s so special about these plants anyway? For starters, they produce simply exquisite trumpet-like, fragrant flowers with dramatic blooms in sunset shades, both as solid colours and as delightful bi-colour varieties. Owing to their lengthy germinating time (one year from seed to pot) they’ve rightfully earned their place in the professional landscapers garden. Up for the challenge? These beauts can be grown as hero houseplants in a well-lit area, in shaded beds, or in pots on the patio with no direct sunlight. They thrive in rich potting mix with good drainage. Clivias are most active from autumn to spring, but they’ll retain their dainty evergreen foliage all year round.

Top tip: Garden centres are stocked with a truly splendid variety of potted clivias to choose from. Ask the friendly nursery attendants for guidance on what soil mixes to use in beds and pots. Don’t forget Bio Ocean to give your prized clivias that extra boost.

Growing clivias from seed

There are two ways to get your green fingers on some clivia seeds:

1. Pop down to your GCA Garden Centre and purchase a seed packet.
2. Wait for established clivias to produce berries, which contain seeds.

When clivia flowers are pollinated they produce large red berries. Pick your berries as they begin colouring then pop them onto the operating table and follow these steps:

• Use your thumbs to break open the berries and then remove the insides.
• Clean up the flesh, skin, and membrane surrounding the seeds inside.
• Once you’ve got the gold, wash all the seeds in a gentle anti-bacterial solution (some dishwashing liquid and water will do). As you’re cleaning the seeds, remove any remaining skin and pop them onto a paper towel.
• Prepare your growing mixture with equal parts palm peat and perlite, both available from your garden centre. Mix in some water to dampen the soil as well.
• Fill seedling trays with your super mix and pat the surface. Plant the clivia seeds with the eye nob part facing down. You want to space seeds about 2,5 cm apart with the tops of the seeds still exposed. In other words, when planting clivia seeds do not press them all the way down into the soil.
• Give all the seeds in the container a good watering and then cover the tray with a plastic bag or glass. Pop your babies in a warm but sheltered area that receives full sun.
• Check on your babies daily, assessing growth and ensuring the soil remains moist at all times. You’ll know they’re happy when the bottom of the seeds begin to sprout baby green legs.
• Now for the hard part. Your clivia seeds will only be ready for transplant after a year. They are definitely worth the wait and reward though, so keep up the care and garden on!

Caring for your clivias

After all that dedication, you want to make sure you give your clivias the best care possible. Here are some handy tips for how to care for established clivias in the garden:

• Clivias need to be divided every three to four years during spring or early summer. You’ll know it’s time when the rhizomes become overcrowded and the root ball rises above soil level. Always wait until they’ve finished flowering before dividing.
• To correctly divide your potted clivias, carefully remove the mother plant from the container and shake off the excess soil to better see the divisions.
• Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the clumps apart or use your fingers to pry them open. You can now transplant separated clivias into new pots for even more patio splendour.
• To divide outdoor clivias, use a spade and lift the ground around the plant (at least 15cm distance to the stem), taking care not to damage the roots. Once removed from the bed, wipe away excess soil to reveal the root clumps. You can now cut and divide as needed and replant in another shady bed in need of bedazzling.
• Fertilise your clivias monthly in spring and summer for max blooming power (avoid feeding in winter). Go for a slow-release fertiliser like Bio Ocean.

Pest alert: Look out for the lily borer! Regularly check your bulbs and especially your clivias for signs of this pesky critter. You’ll notice clusters of tiny eggs underneath leaves, which are laid by a white moth with a 4cm wingspan. Visit your garden centre for the best pest control solution.

High in ornamental value, long-lasting flowering intervals, excellent cut-flowers, and evergreen – clivias are definitely worth it. Go from novice to pro with these sought after bad girls by following the above tips for success. Clivias also make for exquisite gifts so next time you’re on a split and divide mission, pot a few for friends and family.

TULIP GARDEN CENTRE

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If you use our services, goods, products, and service channels you agree that we may process your personal information as explained under this Privacy Policy. Sometimes you may provide us with consent to process your personal information. Read it carefully because it may limit your rights.

As a global organisation this Privacy Policy will apply to the processing of personal information by any member of our company globally. If we process personal information for another party under a contract or a mandate, the other party’s privacy policy will apply to the processing.

We can change this Privacy Policy from time to time if the law or its business practices requires it.

The version of the Privacy Policy displayed on our website will apply to your interactions with us.

What is personal information?

Personal information refers to any information that identifies you or specifically relates to you. Personal information includes, but is not limited to, the following information about you:

• your marital status (like married, single, divorced).
• your national origin.
• your age.
• your language; birth; education.
• your financial history (like your income, third party payments made on your behalf and the like)
• your identifying number (like an employee number, identity number or passport number).
• your e-mail address; physical address (like residential address, work address or your physical location); telephone number.
• your biometric information (like fingerprints, your signature or voice).
• your race; gender; sex; pregnancy; ethnic origin; social origin; colour; sexual orientation.
• your physical health; mental health; well-being; disability; religion; belief; conscience; culture.
• your medical history (like your HIV / AIDS status); criminal history; employment history.
• your personal views, preferences, and opinions.
• your confidential correspondence; and / or
• another’s views or opinions about you and your name also constitute your personal information.
• Personal information includes special personal information, as explained below.

When will we process your personal information?

We will only process your personal information for lawful purposes relating to our business if the following applies:

• if you have consented thereto.
• if a person legally authorised by you, the law, or a court, has consented thereto.
• if it is necessary to conclude or perform under a contract, we have with you.
• if the law requires or permits it.
• if it is required to protect or pursue your, our or a third party’s legitimate interest.

What is special personal information?

Special personal information is personal information about the following:

• your race (like where a company submits reports to the Department of Labour where the statistical information must be recorded).
• your ethnic origin.
• your trade union membership.
• your health (like where you apply for an insurance policy).
• your biometric information (like to verify your identity); and / or your criminal behaviour and alleged commission of an offence.

 When will we process your special personal information?

We may process your special personal information in the following circumstances:

• if you have consented to the processing.
• if the information is being used for any Human resource or payroll requirement.
• if the processing is needed to create, use, or protect a right or obligation in law.
• if the processing is for statistical or research purposes and all legal conditions are met.
• if the special personal information was made public by you.
• if the processing is required by law.
• if racial information is processed, and the processing is required to identify you; and / or if health information is processed, and the processing is to determine your insurance risk, or to comply with an insurance policy or to enforce an insurance right or obligation.

When and from where we obtain personal information about you

• We collect personal information from the payroll or HR departments of our clients when they capture financial and non-financial information.
• We collect personal information from 3rd parties that are directly integrated with our software platform.
• We collect information about you based on your use of our products, services, or service channels.
• We collect information about you based on how you engage or interact with us such as via our support desk, emails, letters, telephone calls and surveys.

If the law requires us to do so, we will ask for your consent before collecting personal information about you from third parties.

The third parties from whom we may collect your personal information include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Partners of our company for any of the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy.
• your spouse, dependents, partners, employer, and other similar sources.
• people you have authorised to share your personal information, like a person that makes a travel booking on your behalf or a medical practitioner for insurance purposes.
• attorneys, tracing agents, debt collectors and other persons that assist with the enforcement of agreements.
• payment processing services providers, merchants, banks, and other persons that assist with the processing of your payment instructions, like EFT transaction partners.
• insurers, brokers, other financial institutions, or other organisations that assist with insurance and assurance underwriting, the providing of insurance and assurance policies and products, the assessment of insurance and assurance claims and other related purposes.
• law enforcement and fraud prevention agencies and other persons tasked with the prevention and prosecution of crime;
• regulatory authorities, industry ombudsman, governmental departments, local and international tax authorities.
• trustees, Executors or Curators appointed by a court of law.
• our service providers, agents and sub-contractors like couriers and other persons we use to offer and provide products and services to you.
• courts of law or tribunals.
• participating partners, whether retail or online, in our customer loyalty reward programmes.
• our joint venture partners; and / or

Reasons we need to process your personal information.

• We will process your personal information for the following reasons:
  • to provide you with products, goods, and services
  • to market our products, goods, and services to you.
  • to respond to your enquiries and complaints.
  • to comply with legislative, regulatory, risk and compliance requirements (including directives, sanctions, and rules), voluntary and involuntary codes of conduct and industry agreements or to fulfil reporting requirements and information requests.
  • to conduct market and behavioural research, including scoring and analysis to determine if you qualify for products and services or to determine your credit or insurance risk.
  • to develop, test and improve products and services for you.
  • for historical, statistical and research purposes, like market segmentation.
  • to process payment instruments.
  • to create, manufacture and print payment issues (like a payslip)
  • to enable us to deliver goods, documents, or notices to you.
  • for security, identity verification and to check the accuracy of your personal information.
  • to communicate with you and carry out your instructions and requests.
  • for customer satisfaction surveys, promotional offerings.
  • insurance and assurance underwriting and administration.
  • to process or consider or assess insurance or assurance claims.
  • to provide insurance and assurance policies and products and related services.
  • to enable you to take part in customer loyalty reward programmes, to determine your qualification for participation, earning of reward points, determining your rewards level, monitoring your buying behaviour with our rewards partners to allocate the correct points or inform you of appropriate products, goods, and services you may be interested in or to inform our reward partners about your purchasing behaviour.
  • to enable you to take part in and make use of value-added products and services.
  • to assess our lending and insurance risks; and / or
  • for any other related purposes.

How we use your personal information for marketing

• We will use your personal information to market financial, insurance, investments and other related banking products and services to you.
• We may also market non-banking or non-financial products, goods, or services to you.
• We will do this in person, by post, telephone, or electronic channels such as SMS, email, and fax.
• If you are not our customer, or in any other instances where the law requires, we will only market to you by electronic communications with your consent.
• In all cases you can request us to stop sending marketing communications to you at any time.

When how and with whom we share your personal information

In general, we will only share your personal information if any one or more of the following apply:

• if you have consented to this.
• if it is necessary to conclude or perform under a contract, we have with you;
• if the law requires it; and / or
• if it’s necessary to protect or pursue your, our or a third party’s legitimate interest.

Under what circumstances will we transfer your information to other countries?

We will only transfer your personal information to third parties in another country in any one or more of the following circumstances:

• where your personal information will be adequately protected under the other country’s laws or an agreement with the third-party recipient.
• where the transfer is necessary to enter into or perform under a contract with you, or a contract with a third party that is in your interest.
• where you have consented to the transfer; and / or
• where it is not reasonably practical to obtain your consent, the transfer is in your interest.

This transfer will happen within the requirements and safeguards of the law. Where possible, the party processing your personal information in the other country will agree to apply the same level of protection as available by law in your country or if the other country’s laws provide better protection the other country’s laws would be agreed to and applied.

An example of us transferring your personal information to another country is where foreign payments take place if you purchase goods or services in a foreign country.

TAKE NOTE: We are a global organisation your personal information may be shared within all our company entities in other countries and processed in those countries.

Your duties and rights about the personal information we have about you.

• You must provide proof of identity when enforcing the rights below.

You must inform us when your personal information changes.

Please refer to our Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 Manual (PAIA Manual) for further information on how you can give effect to the rights listed below. Download the PAIA Manual.

You have the right to request access to the personal information we have about you by contacting us. This includes requesting:

• confirmation that we hold your personal information.
• a copy or description of the record containing your personal information; and
• the identity or categories of third parties who have had access to your personal information.

We will attend to requests for access to personal information within a reasonable time. You may be required to pay a reasonable fee to receive copies or descriptions of records, or information about third parties. We will inform you of the fee before attending to your request.

Please note that the law may limit your right to access information.

You have the right to request us to correct or delete the personal information we have about you if it is inaccurate, irrelevant, excessive, out of date, incomplete, misleading, obtained unlawfully or we are no longer authorised to keep it. You must inform us of your request in writing. Please refer to our PAIA Manual for further information in this regard, like the process you should follow to give effect to this right. It may take up to 15 business days for the change to reflect on our systems. We may request documents from you to verify the change in personal information.

A specific agreement that you have entered into with us may determine how you must change your personal information provided at the time when you entered into the specific agreement. Please adhere to these requirements. If the law requires us to keep the personal information, it will not be deleted upon your request. The deletion of certain personal information may lead to the termination of your business relationship with us.

You may object on reasonable grounds to the processing of your personal information.

We will not be able to give effect to your objection if the processing of your personal information was and is permitted by law; you have provided consent to the processing and our processing done according to your consent or the processing is necessary to conclude or perform under a contract with you.

Where you have provided your consent for the processing of your personal information, you may withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we will explain the consequences to you. We may proceed to process your personal information even if you have withdrawn your consent if the law permits or requires it. It may take up to 15 business days for the change to reflect on our systems, during this time we may still process your personal information. You must inform us of any objection in writing. Please refer to our PAIA Manual for further information in this regard, like the process you should follow to give effect to this right.

You have a right to file a complaint with us or any Regulator with jurisdiction about an alleged contravention of the protection of your personal information by us. We will address your complaint as far as possible.

How we secure your personal information

• We will take appropriate and reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your personal information according to industry best practices. Our security measures (including physical, technological, and procedural safeguards) will be appropriate and reasonable. This includes the following:
• keeping our systems secure (like monitoring access and usage);
• storing our records securely.
• controlling the access to our buildings, systems and/or records; and
• safely destroying or deleting records.
• Ensure compliance with international ISO security standards.
• You can also protect your personal information. Please visit the website of the relevant business you have established a business relationship with for more information.

How long do we keep your personal information?

We will keep your personal information for as long as:

• the law requires us to keep it.
• a contract between you and us requires us to keep it.
• you have consented for us keeping it.
• we are required to keep it to achieve the purposes listed in this Privacy Policy.
• we require it for statistical or research purposes.
• a code of conduct requires us to keep it; and / or
• we require it for our lawful business purposes.

Take note: We may keep your personal information even if you no longer have a relationship with us, for the historical data that may be required by your employer or employee.

Our cookie policy

A cookie is a small piece of data sent from our websites or applications to your computer or device hard drive or Internet browser where it is saved. The cookie contains information to personalise your experience on our websites or applications and may improve your experience on the websites or applications. The cookie will also identify your device, like the computer or smart phone.

By using our websites or applications you agree that cookies may be forwarded from the relevant website or application to your computer or device. The cookie will enable us to know that you have visited the website or application before and will identify you. We may also use the cookie to prevent fraud and for analytics.