Welcome to the very first edition of The Dirt Digest – Atlantic Fertilisers’
new and improved monthly newsletter!
This month we dig into everything from nurturing your roses to choosing what to sow next and maximising your garden’s potential.
October also brings Garden Day on Sunday, 12 October – the perfect excuse to gather your loved ones for a joyful garden party! With the next few months being some of the busiest in the gardening calendar, don’t forget to check which
Open Gardens are happening in your area for even more inspiration.
October in the Garden
October is here! Garden Day falls on Sunday the 12th – the perfect excuse to gather friends and family for a little outdoor celebration of all things green and glorious. Spring is in full bloom, so take a moment to admire your garden, balcony pots, or patio planters. And did we mention? It’s Rose Month! Local GCA garden centres are bursting with breath-taking blooms, ready to brighten up your space.
There’s plenty to plant, grow, and sow this season, along with a few simple maintenance tasks to keep things thriving. So, grab your compost, pick up your spade, and let’s dig into October gardening magic!
Raging for roses
Your top 5 babes available at GCA’s now are:
Double Delight: Pointed, cream colour buds unfolding delicately into shades of scarlet.
Just Joey: A hybrid apricot/orange blend tea rose with a seductively sweet scent.
My Granny: A spreading shrub with full rosette blooms in shades of soft pink and white.
South Africa: SA’s top performer with huge clusters of large, golden-yellow double blooms.
Zulu Royal: Large, symmetrical blooms in deep mauve with a silver-lilac dust.
Rosey tips: Avoid wetting rose leaves in the late afternoon as this may encourage black spot and powdery mildew. Plant living mulch between your roses such as erigeron, verbena or lobularia. Remember to feed with Flower and Fruit fertiliser every 4 weeks for max bloom power.
Rushing flower power
Plant and sow now
For instant colour, go for calibrachoas with masses of miniature petunia-like flowers.
Sun-loving annuals in seedling trays include: petunias, lobularias (allysum), gazanias,
penstemons, Chrysanthemum paludosum and C. multicaule, Sunpatiens and celosias.
Shade-seeking seedling trays include: New Guinea impatiens, begonias, impatiens (Busy Lizzie) hypoestes and coleus.
Go-getter perennials for all regions are: agapanthus, gauras, nemesias, osteospermums and geraniums of all kinds. Also go for gypsophila and masses of pretty but tough angelonias. Star jasmine, penstemons, columbines and echinaceas are lovely too.
Top seedling tip: Give your seedlings the best head start in life by planting them in compost-enriched soil with a sprinkle of Bio Rock Root Builder. When transplanting, avoid pulling them out by their stems and rather push them out from the bottom of the punnet. Pinch out their growth tips as they mature for a bushier plant.
Top sowing tip: To prevent small seeds from sticking to your fingers and clumping together, mix them with some dry sand, then sprinkle over moist soil.
Bustling hunger busters
Carrots: Sow seeds directly from spring to autumn to ensure a continuous harvest. The soil must be cultivated deeply to make it loose and friable.
Cucumbers: Sow seeds directly into rich soil. Plants will need sturdy stakes to keep the fruit off the ground.
Green beans: Plant bush-type seeds that are easier to manage if your space is limited.
Lettuce: Try oak and loose-leaf lettuce seedlings, available in trays from your GCA Garden Centre.
Radishes: Sow small amounts directly into the ground throughout summer.
Squashes and baby marrows: As soon as new greens emerge, thin them out to allow ample space for trailing support.
Tomatoes and sweet peppers are also available in seedling trays now. Pinch off lower leaves when planting for a bushier, abundant yield.
Spinach: Plant or sow several rows every few weeks to ensure a continuous supply.
Herbs: Parsley, chives and basil seeds and seedlings can be planted/sown in the veggie patch or in pots for your kitchen garden or sunny windowsills.
Edible encouragement: Feed young veggies every two weeks with Bio Ocean and keep a sharp eye on germinating weeds between rows. Set snail bait amongst strawberry plants and provide a mulch of straw, coarse clippings, or weed matting to prevent the fruit from touching the soil. Pick the fruit frequently to encourage more produce.
Board the maintenance train
Lawns: Fix hollows and bumps by cutting out the turf in the affected area. Add or reduce soil as needed and gently replace the turf. Spray weedkiller to get rid of broadleaf weeds. Before treatment, fertilise your lawn with Bio Ganic Lawns and water well, wait two weeks before applying spray.
Weed alert: Weeds compete with healthy crops for space, water, sunlight and nutrients, ultimately reducing your crop yield. They grow quickly and reproduce in large numbers. Seeds are easily dispersed by wind and animals, especially whilst mowing the lawn. Weeds are also hosts for pests and plant diseases, so make sure to visit your GCA for a variety of effective treatments to use.
Succulents: Tidy up succulents like echeverias and Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, which have stopped flowering. Divide and replant into other parts of the garden.
Fruit trees: Thin out peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums when they are about pea-size. Apply Flower & Fruit fertiliser to promote plump, luscious fruit. Continue spraying and baiting against fruit flies and codling moths.
Pests: Put out snail taps and cutworm bait to protect all new seedlings.
Anti-fungal: Encourage strong root systems and combat fungal disease by watering your garden early in the morning, instead of in the evenings.
Re-potting: Ferns are ready for new homes! Repot and transplant all ferns now, followed by a feeding every two weeks with Bio Ocean or All Purpose.
There you have it – your October to-do list is complete. Your Garden Centre is fully loaded with all your compost, Atlantic fertiliser, and plant needs. Go snatch up some stunners for Garden Day and enjoy all the new blooms that have come out to play.
October Rose Care
October is a magical month for South African gardeners. With spring in full swing, gardens are bursting into colour, and there’s no better time to focus on one of the most cherished flowers of all: roses. Whether you have a sprawling rose bush or a few pots on your patio, now is the month to help your roses thrive and truly shine.
Feed your roses for maximum bloom
Healthy roses start with the right nutrition, and Flower & Fruit is the perfect choice for this time of year. Packed with nutrients that support strong growth and vibrant blooms, Flower & Fruit helps your roses produce bigger, more colourful flowers while keeping the foliage lush and green. Apply according to the instructions on the pack, and watch your roses respond with renewed vigour.
Rose tips & tricks for this month:
Deadhead regularly: Remove spent blooms to encourage new flowers and prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production.
Check for pests: Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites, or black spot. Early treatment with organic solutions can save your blooms.
Water wisely: Roses love deep, infrequent watering. Aim for a thorough soak at the base rather than light sprinkling.
Mulch for moisture: A layer of mulch around the base helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weeds.
Support growth: Tie up long stems or provide trellises for climbing roses to keep them upright and looking their best.
Time to get plant shopping!
October is the perfect time to add a new rose to your garden. Pop into your local garden centre and pick up a blooming beauty that speaks to you – there’s nothing quite like selecting a rose and watching it grow into a star of your garden.
Spring has officially sprung across South Africa, and it’s time to shake off the winter chill and welcome new growth! Whether you’re prepping veggie beds, refreshing flower borders, or nurturing your lawn back to life, Atlantic Fertilisers is here to support your garden’s comeback.
To help you get started, we’ve created a Spring Checklist packed with practical tips for soil prep, fertilising, and planting. It’s designed to make your seasonal transition smooth, productive, and full of bloom.
Your Spring Garden Checklist
Soil Prep & Fertilising
Clear out weeds and old mulch from beds
Loosen compacted soil with a garden fork or tiller
Mix in compost or organic matter to enrich soil
Apply Atlantic Bio Ganic All Purpose for balanced nutrition
Test soil pH if planting sensitive plants/crops (e.g. blueberries, azaleas)
Remember to plant with a handful of Bio Rock Root Builder
Use Atlantic Flower & Fruit to feed flowering plants and edibles Water deeply after planting and mulch to retain moisture
Lawn Revival
Rake out dead grass and aerate compacted areas
Apply Atlantic Bio Ganic Lawns to promote lush growth
Water early mornings to reduce evaporation Mow regularly but avoid cutting too short
Garden Care & Planning
Clean and sharpen garden tools
Set up rainwater collection or irrigation systems
Plan your garden layout for summer crops and blooms
Join local gardening groups or events for inspiration
September in the Garden Checklist
Spring Zing
The season that needs no introduction – it can only be spring! This is an exciting time for gardeners filled with blossoms, blooms, and renewed beauty after the winter. This month, we love the spekboom, and we’ve got some special varieties to share. The veggie garden is every home grower’s dream, so check out our edible zingers for September. Perennials and bulbs are also ready to crank up the heat in the garden, so let’s dig and plant right in!
‘n Spekkie for thought
Portulacaria afra (elephant’s food, elephant bush, or spekboom) is an indigenous superstar in our South African climate. They tolerate high humidity, high rainfall or drought, heat, desert sun or well-lit indoor spaces. They are frost-tender but will bounce back quickly. Not prone to pests or disease either, the spekkie boasts the following fabulous benefits:
Environment: They help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by acting like a handy carbon sponge, thereby improving the quality of air we breathe.
Firebreaks: This plant is used in fire-prone areas as a perimeter hedge – good to know!
Food: Spekboom leaves are edible and add interesting texture and flavour to salads. They are high in Vitamin C with a juicy, sour taste – definitely worth a try!
Soil: A good soil binder that helps to prevent soil erosion – wind and slopes beware!
Versatile: With so many varieties available, spekkies are excellent groundcovers, look spectacular in hanging baskets, add a vibe to mixed succulent containers, are super hardy trees, cute bonsais, and are just overall an awesomely easy addition to the garden.
Easy to please: Prune them to shape or let them grow wild, feed them or forget about them, mulch them or munch on them.
Did you know? Spekboom provides 80% of an elephant’s diet and can live up to 200 years.
Plant these Portulacaria afra varieties now in well-drained soil with a dash of Bio Rock Root Builder, available from your GCA Garden Centre.
Tom Thumb: a small-leaved, compact variety that makes an excellent bonsai.
Longstockings: also small-leaved but with a distinctly vertical growth form.
Macrophylla: a giant-leaved variety, very sculptural in the garden or in pots.
Also try: Limpopo (most common), Prostrata, Aurea, Foliis variegate, Medio-picta, Variegata, Tricolor, and Cork Bark.
Fired-up flowers
Plant Asylum in garden beds or hanging baskets in full to partial sun. They tolerate dry soil and will flourish with frequent deadheading. Asylums are ideal as attractive edge borders, framing flower beds, as well as adding vibrancy and texture to window boxes.
Also plant clivias, salvias, begonia ‘Dragon Wings’, verbenas, penstemons, camellias and azaleas for a splash of happy spring colour.
Warm-season bulbs like tuberous begonias, dahlias and amaryllis can also be planted now. For summer bedding colour, include masses of petunias, dianthus, gazanias, and Zantedeschia
Perennials to plant with your spring collection include columbines, angel wings (Gaura), bearded iris, Limonium perezi (giant statice), Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ (cornflower) and Viola odorata ‘The Czar’ (sweet violet).
Sow bold sunflowers, zinnias, and portulacas to reap the rewards in a few weeks.
In the bloom prune zone: Mayflowers, banksia roses, hibiscus and poinsettia are ready for a snip. Deadhead pansies and violas now too.
Herbs to plant include dill, chervil, origanum, borage mustard, watercress, caraway, coriander, mint, Pennyroyal, rosemary, fennel, basil, anise and summer savoury.
Top tip: Remember to head over to your GCA Garden Centre for a bag of Bio Ocean fertiliser to help you get the most from your greens. Seed packets are the cheapest way to grow your own food and are widely available at nurseries and supermarkets.
Trees for your troubles
Wildlife-attracting, shade-providing, and spring-blooming trees to plant now are:
Paperbark acacia
Fever tree
Pompon tree
Forest elder
Cape chestnut
Dombeya rotundifolia (wild pear)
Our perfect pick: The indigenousKiggelaria africana (wild peach) is a showy must-have for the critter-loving gardener. This beauty is drought-tolerant, evergreen, fast-growing, ideal for screening/hedging, costal safe (salt and wind), suitable for containers and small gardens, has minimal waste shedding, and the best part – this tree hosts the Acrea Horta butterfly and several other species too, including some stunning moths. Diederik and red-chested Cuckoos feast on these caterpillars, keeping the numbers in check and sustaining your garden’s essential food chain. The fruits are not edible but trees will reward your garden with colour, charm, and an abundance of life!
Get your lawn lush
Plant new lawn grass seed or grass plugs now. September is the best time for establishing new lawns as conditions give roots the perfect opportunity to settle down before the summer feet come rolling in. Fertilise with Bio Ganic Lawns and begin watering the lawn regularly and fix bare patches with a top-dressing of fine compost or commercial lawn dressing. Your GCA Garden Centre is fully stocked with all your lawn essentials, go check it out.
Pesky pest alert
Watch out for these nasty guys that are as excited about spring as we are. Charge down to your nursery for eco-friendly pesticides that’ll make quick work of these pesky pests.
Leaf gall on azaleas (small swellings or knobs on the leaves, stems, and flowers).
Thrips on gladioli (spottings on flowers and yellow speckled areas on leaves).
Citrus psylla on lemons (raised, pocket-like swelling on leaves).
Impatient fungus (yellow-green discolouration of leaves, often curling downwards).
Snails and slugs around newly planted seedlings.
Cutworms on the roots and foliage of new growth.
Maintenance incoming
Refresh, top-up or replace pebbles and gravel around the garden, especially between paving stones where dust and mud accumulate to spoil the effect.
Check for algae and moss on paving. Scrub down with a solution of copper sulphate or use a moss killer.
Enjoy your zesty, zinger of a spring and plant your heart out. The rains will soon be coming to give all your new babies some TLC, followed by warm, early wake-up calls for the sun. September is a party in the backyard when your garden filled with blooms, edibles, and trees like these.
Spring planting with Bio Rock Root Builder
As the chill of winter fades and our gardens begin to stir with life, spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh, replant, and reinvigorate your outdoor space. Whether you’re cultivating vegetables, nurturing ornamental beds, or reviving your lawn, the secret to a thriving garden lies beneath the surface – starting with healthy, resilient roots.
Why spring planting matters
Spring in South Africa (September to November) marks a season of renewal. Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and increased soil activity create ideal conditions for planting. But to truly harness this seasonal momentum, gardeners must focus on building strong foundations—especially in the root zone.
Healthy roots mean:
Faster plant establishment
Improved nutrient uptake
Greater drought tolerance
Stronger resistance to pests and disease
That’s where Bio Rock Root Builder comes in.
What Is Bio Rock Root Builder?
Bio Rock Root Builder is a premium soil conditioner designed to stimulate root development and improve soil structure. Packed with natural ingredients like soft rock phosphate, beneficial microbes, and humic acids, it enhances root growth while enriching the soil with long-lasting nutrients.
Key Benefits:
Boosts root mass and depth for stronger, more resilient plants
Improves soil aeration and water retention, especially in sandy or clay-heavy soils
Feeds soil biology, creating a thriving ecosystem for plant roots
Slow-release nutrients support growth throughout the season
How to use Bio Rock Root Builder in spring
Whether you’re planting seedlings, bulbs, or shrubs, Bio Rock Root Builder is easy to incorporate into your routine:
For flower beds & veggie gardens:
Mix Bio Rock into the top 10–15cm of soil before planting
Use approximately 100g per square metre for general application
Water thoroughly after planting to activate microbial activity
For potted plants:
Blend a handful into potting mix before transplanting
Top-dress existing pots and gently work into the soil surface
For lawns:
Apply before overseeding or laying new turf
Rake in lightly and water well
Spring planting tips
To make the most of your spring garden, pair Bio Rock Root Builder with these seasonal strategies:
Start with soil prep: Remove weeds, loosen compacted areas, and add compost
Choose spring-friendly plants: Think tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, petunias, and indigenous favourites like gazanias
Mulch generously to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Feed regularly with Atlantic’s Bio Ganic range for ongoing nutrition
Ready to grow?
Spring is your garden’s moment to shine—and with Bio Rock Root Builder, you’re giving your plants the best possible start. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty for the first time, strong roots lead to spectacular results.
Visit Tulip Garden Centre to stock up, and let’s grow something beautiful together.
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 onlinehere.
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.
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:
Cape daisy (Osteospermum) – Indigenous and water-wise, blooming from spring to autumn in rich hues.
Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum) – Butterfly magnet with cheerful flowers in single and double forms.
English daisy (Bellis perennis) – Fast-spreading, blooming masses from winter into spring.
Golden daisy bush (Euryops) – Evergreen and compact, flowering through the cold with bright yellow heads.
Livingstone daisy (Mesembryanthemum) – A vibrant groundcover that begins to dazzle in August.
Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum) – Spreading perennials with classic white blooms.
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.
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.
Pruning season is well underway. Ready for some wisdom? We’ve got tips that’ll make you say, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ Stay tuned and prepare to be amazed!
Grab your gloves and tools, it’s time to prune like a pro!
Your spring blooms won’t just grow, they’ll become garden celebrities. Snip, snip, snip!
Did you know that pruning is an essential part of gardening and helps the plant with the following:
To encourage plant growth.
To shape the plant.
To promote flowers and fruit.
To discard of diseased and dead wood.
To remove all weak shoots and underdeveloped wood.
To repair frost and storm damage.
Garden tools allow you to work efficiently, tend to your plants and cultivate your soil. Just make sure you keep some important criteria in mind…
South Africa’s cold can harm your plants, but with some preparation, you can protect them from frost and snow. Use GARDENA’s tips to keep your plants warm and ready to thrive in spring. Keep your garden happy this winter!
Understanding Your Garden’s Needs
Before wrapping your plants for winter, assess their needs. Some plants thrive in cold, while others require extra care. Make a note of what you have and what each plant needs. This will help you decide who needs protection and who can handle the cold!
Hardiness Zones
Knowing your zone is essential for winter survival—they reveal the average minimum temperatures and help you choose the best plants for your area. Proper plant selection and watering are key to a thriving garden. Dive in and let your garden flourish!
Preparing the Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a resilient garden. Before winter sets in, take steps to improve the soil’s structure and fertility.
Mulching
Winter-proof your garden with a cozy blanket of organic mulch! Straw, wood chips, or compost will keep your soil snug, moisture-rich, and weed-free. Plus, it stops erosion in its tracks.
Composting
Boost your soil’s winter resilience with compost or well-rotted manure! These organic goodies enrich the soil, improve its structure, and help plants brave the freeze-thaw dance.
Covering Plants with frost cover
Not all plants are winter warriors! Give your garden a cozy shield with burlap, frost cloths, or old blankets. This simple trick keeps frost, wind, and snow at bay, ensuring a snug environment. Just remember to secure those covers tightly against gusty winds.
Constructing mini greenhouses
Build a quick winter fortress for your plants! Use glass or plastic with a frame to create a transparent cover. This mini greenhouse traps heat, creating a cozy microclimate to shield plants from the bitter cold.
Watering Wisely
A pre-frost drink helps soil retain heat, shielding plants from the cold. Just avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. GARDENA’s range of Water Controls help you schedule irrigation depending on your plant’s watering needs. The Water Meter AquaCount measures the water flow, ensuring each plant gets the perfect amount.
Protecting Perennials and Bulbs
Perennials and bulbs can be vulnerable to winter conditions, but with the right care, they can come back strong in the spring.
Cutting Back Perennials
Cut back the dead foliage of perennials to about 2-3 inches above the ground after the first frost. This helps prevent disease and pest problems while also making it easier to apply mulch and other protective measures.
Mulching Bulbs
Give your bulbs a cozy winter blanket! A thick mulch layer over tulip and daffodil beds insulates them from extreme cold and temperature fluctuations, ensuring a stunning spring bloom.
Maintaining Garden Structures
Winter-proof your garden structures! Check fences, trellises, and beds for damage. Fix any weak spots to keep them sturdy and your plants safe.
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.
Celebrate Easter in style this Autumn! Hello Garden Enthusiasts!
The best way to enjoy the Easter holidays are in our stunning gardens. Whether you’re gearing up for an Easter egg hunt, a family picnic, or just a relaxing day among the leaves, we’ve got you covered for an unforgettable Easter experience.
1. Create a Magical Easter Egg Hunt
Nothing says Easter like an egg hunt! Use Gardena’s range of garden tools to hide those colorful eggs in the most creative spots. Our handy Hand Trowel and Planting Gloves are perfect for digging and planting—just be careful not to disturb your blooming flowers!
2. Perfect Your Picnic Setup
A garden picnic is a delightful way to spend the holiday. Lay down a cozy blanket, pack some delicious treats, and enjoy the crisp air. To keep your garden looking its best, Gardena’s Lawn Care Tools will ensure your grass is picnic-ready.
3. Add a Splash of Color
Easter is all about bright and cheerful colors. Plant some vibrant autumn flowers using Gardena’s Planting Tools, helping you to create stunning flower beds that will make your garden the envy of the neighborhood.
…………………..mmmmm...whatever you are having, bon appetite.
As February rolls in, gardeners know it’s time to embrace the late summer transition. This month’s newsletter is packed with advice to keep your garden thriving and prepare it for the cooler months ahead.
In Essential Gardening Tips for Late Summer, we’ll guide you on how to maintain your ornamental garden, grow your own food, and adopt sustainable practices as summer winds down. And for those whose lawns are feeling the effects of the summer heat, Reviving Your Lawn After the Summer Heat offers practical tips to bring your grass back to life with products like Bio Ganic for Lawns.
Let’s nurture our gardens together this February!
Reviving Your Lawn After the Summer Heat
South Africa’s summer heat can be unforgiving, leaving lawns looking tired, patchy, and sunburnt. February is the perfect time to rejuvenate your lawn and prepare it for a lush, green revival as we transition into autumn. With the right care and products, like Bio Ganic Lawns, your lawn can recover beautifully. Here are some practical tips to get your lawn back to its best:
1. Assess the Damage
Start by examining your lawn to identify the areas most affected by summer heat. Look for yellowing, thinning grass, bare patches, or compacted soil. Understanding the extent of the damage will help you plan your lawn revival effectively.
2. Aerate the Soil
Compacted soil can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the grassroots. Use a garden fork or lawn aerator to create small holes across your lawn, allowing it to “breathe” and absorb nutrients more effectively. Aeration is especially important in high-traffic areas that may have become hard and compacted.
3. Feed Your Lawn
To promote healthy growth, feed your lawn with a high-quality, nutrient-rich fertiliser. Bio Ganic Lawns, a 100% organic fertiliser, is specifically designed to provide your lawn with the essential nutrients it needs to recover and thrive. Its natural formulation improves soil structure, encourages strong root development, and promotes a vibrant green lawn.
How to Use Bio Ganic Lawns:
Apply evenly across your lawn, following the recommended dosage on the packaging.
Water thoroughly after application to help the nutrients penetrate the soil.
Repeat every 4-6 weeks for ongoing nourishment.
4. Reseed Bare Patches
For areas that have become completely bare, reseeding is the best solution. Choose a grass variety that matches your existing lawn. Loosen the soil in the bare patches, sprinkle the seeds evenly, and lightly cover them with a thin layer of topsoil. Keep the area moist until the new grass establishes itself.
5. Water Wisely
During the hot summer months, your lawn may have experienced water stress. To aid its recovery, water deeply but less frequently. Early morning is the best time to water, as it reduces evaporation and allows the grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day.
6. Mow with Care
Avoid cutting your grass too short while it’s recovering. Set your mower blades higher to leave the grass slightly longer, which helps shade the soil, retain moisture, and protect the roots. Ensure your mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing the grass.
7. Mulch for Moisture
If your lawn clippings are healthy, leave them on the grass after mowing. This acts as a natural mulch, helping to retain moisture and provide additional nutrients as the clippings decompose.
8. Control Weeds
Summer conditions often encourage weed growth, which competes with your lawn for nutrients and water. Remove weeds manually or use an appropriate herbicide to keep them under control. Be careful to choose a product that’s safe for your grass type.
9. Consistency is Key
The key to a thriving lawn is consistent care. Stick to a regular watering, mowing, and fertilizing schedule. Monitor your lawn’s progress and address any issues promptly.
Why Choose Bio Ganic Lawns?
Bio Ganic Lawns stands out as a premium organic option for revitalising lawns. Its balanced nutrient composition not only boosts grass growth but also improves soil health over time, making it a sustainable choice for gardeners who care about their environment.
By following these steps and incorporating Bio Ganic Lawns into your lawn care routine, you can restore your grass to its full glory. A healthy, green lawn is not only a joy to look at but also adds value to your home and provides a perfect space for outdoor activities.
Start your lawn revival this February, and enjoy the benefits of a vibrant garden for months to come!
Essential Gardening Tips for Late Summer
As summer winds down in South Africa, it’s the perfect time to give your garden some extra attention and prepare it for the cooler months ahead. Whether you’re maintaining an ornamental garden, growing your own food, or looking to create a more sustainable outdoor space, here are some essential tips to keep your garden thriving this February.
Late Summer Garden Maintenance Tips
Late summer is all about keeping your garden in top shape while laying the groundwork for the next season. Here’s what you can do:
Deadhead Flowers: Remove spent blooms from your flowering plants to encourage new growth and extend their blooming period. This not only keeps your garden looking vibrant but also helps plants conserve energy for healthy foliage and future blooms.
Prune Summer Blooms: Trim back summer-flowering shrubs and plants like hydrangeas, roses, and lavender to shape them and remove any damaged or diseased growth. Be careful not to prune spring-flowering plants, as this could remove next season’s buds.
Mulch to Retain Moisture: Apply a fresh layer of mulch around your plants to lock in soil moisture and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like bark chips, straw, or compost also improve soil quality as they break down.
Check Irrigation Systems: Inspect your irrigation system for leaks or blockages to ensure efficient watering during the hot days that remain. Adjust timers or watering schedules to suit the changing weather patterns.
Weed Regularly: Remove weeds promptly to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients and water. Mulching can also help suppress weed growth.
Edible Gardens: What to Plant in February
February is an ideal time to sow cool-season crops that will thrive in the cooler months ahead. Here are some top picks for your edible garden:
Vegetables to Plant: Spinach, lettuce, carrots, beetroot, broccoli, and cauliflower are perfect for planting this month. These crops prefer the milder conditions as summer transitions into autumn.
Herbs to Grow: Start sowing coriander, parsley, chives, and dill. These herbs grow well in cooler weather and are great for adding fresh flavour to your meals.
Soil Preparation: Before planting, enrich your soil with compost and Bio Rock Root Builder to provide essential nutrients for your crops. Loosen the soil to improve drainage and aeration.
Companion Planting: Use companion planting to enhance growth and deter pests. For example, plant marigolds near vegetables to repel nematodes, or grow basil alongside tomatoes to improve their flavour and discourage aphids.
Creating a Water-Wise Garden
With water conservation becoming increasingly important, a water-wise garden is both eco-friendly and practical. Here’s how to create one:
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants: Indigenous plants like aloes, succulents, and agapanthus are well-suited to South Africa’s climate and require minimal watering once established. These plants also add unique textures and colours to your garden.
Mulching for Water Retention: Mulch plays a vital role in conserving water. Spread a thick layer around your plants to reduce evaporation, keep the soil cool, and suppress weeds.
Harvest Rainwater: Install rainwater harvesting systems, such as water tanks or barrels, to collect rainwater during summer storms. Use this water for irrigation during drier periods.
Group Plants by Water Needs: Arrange plants with similar water requirements together. This makes it easier to water efficiently and prevents overwatering of drought-tolerant species.
Attracting Pollinators to Your Late Summer Garden
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring successful harvests in your edible garden. Here’s how to attract them:
Plant Late-Blooming Flowers: Include flowers like cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers in your garden. These provide nectar and pollen for pollinators late into the season.
Create Habitats: Add features like birdhouses, bee hotels, and shallow water dishes with pebbles for pollinators to rest and hydrate. Avoid using pesticides that could harm them.
Go Native: Indigenous plants are often the best food source for local pollinators. Incorporate a variety of native flowers and shrubs to cater to their needs.
Layered Planting: Design your garden with layers, including ground covers, shrubs, and taller plants, to create diverse habitats and attract a wider range of pollinators.
Flirtatious Flowers
Primetime Babes: Bougainvilleas, hemerocallis (daylilies), and variegated or green foliage plants are showing off their charm this month. If yours aren’t flourishing, they may need some extra TLC.
Sweetheart Sowing: Amazingly fragrant and fuss-free sweet peas are ready to be sown from seed packets available at your local nursery. Try bush varieties in pots and hanging baskets for added beauty around the stoep and patio. For better germination, soak sweet pea seeds in water overnight before sowing.
A Pretty Tip: Petunias are a firm favourite but avoid planting them in the same spot as the previous season to prevent soil-borne diseases.
The Hottest of the Lot: Orange hermannia (Hermannia pinnata), marigolds, wild rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus), and Honeybells (Freylinia lanceolata) are heat-loving plants that will thrive in February.
Late summer is a dynamic time in the garden, offering opportunities to maintain, refresh, and plan for the months ahead. By focusing on essential tasks, planting cool-season crops, adopting water-wise practices, and supporting pollinators, you can ensure your garden remains a thriving, vibrant space well into autumn. Take advantage of this transitional period to nurture your garden and enjoy its rewards for seasons to come.
The phrase “back to work” can be a rather daunting thought. The key to approaching a new year is with energy and optimism. Revitalize and get back into action with 3 simple tips:
Coming back to reality after the holidays can feel a bit overwhelming. Here’s how to make the transition easier:
Ease back into your routine before work.
Continue family activities to keep the holiday feel.
Plan upcoming events to stay motivated.
Start a new hobby, herb garden or join a club for inspiration.
Get active: Boost your mood with any form of exercise.
Stress less: Practice 5-10 minutes of mindfulness or breathing.
Connect with nature: Take a walk or indulge in some gardening for relaxation and joy.
Try to create a clear vision of what you want to achieve in the year ahead:
Take a trip down memory lane: What worked last year and what could use a little tweaking?
Set goals, not pipe dreams: Focus on achievable changes whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
List your goals so you don’t forget
Roll with the punches: Life is unpredictable, so leave room for flexibility if plans go off course.
Track your goals and watch them grow.
A vital part of wellness is what you put into your body.
What fruit makes our liver healthy by eating it every day?
The liver is a vital organ responsible for processing nutrients, detoxification and maintaining overall well-being. Poor dietary choices and unhealthy lifestyles can strain the liver, potentially leading to various health issues.
The liver is the only organ in your body that cleanses itself.
Whatever we eat or drink is detoxified by our liver therefore it is important to maintain a balanced, liver-friendly diet to keep your liver fit.
Here are some fruits that helps to cleanse your liver naturally:
Fruits that are high in antioxidants have been proven to aid in liver health. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are laden with antioxidants, which actively contribute to supporting liver health.
Grapefruit is high in vitamin C and supports liver detoxification, Grapefruit can activate the chemicals responsible for breaking down your fatty acid. This may help to prevent fatty liver disease.
Apples are high in pectin, a substance which binds to heavy metals in the body, especially in the colon, which aids in their excretion. Removing heavy metals from the body reduces stress on the liver and reduces the amount of detoxification required.
Grapes contain vitamin C and are filled with antioxidants. Consuming grapes reduces liver, kidney and abdominal fat weight and increases signs of antioxidant defense, mainly in the liver and kidneys.
By aiding in digestion, papaya reduces the workload on the liver, allowing it to function more efficiently.
Kiwi supports overall liver health. It also contains powerful antioxidants that effectively prevent fatty liver diseases.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes deliver a potent dose of vitamin C and strengthening immunity. These essential nutrients protect your liver and help in the liver detoxification processes. Including citrus fruits in your diet provides a zesty boost for liver health.
If you are already on this journey, we have the tools to make your harvesting adventure as easy as a breeze.
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:
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!
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:
Pop down to your GCA Garden Centre and purchase a seed packet.
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.