Although spring only officially starts on September 1, we don’t need a calendar to see that spring is on the way.
For most of the country there is a delightful springiness in the air. Although August is warm to even hot in parts of the country, apply these rules when planting or sowing plants that are sensitive to frost damage:
In frost-free areas, start planting at the beginning of August.
In areas of light to moderate frost that lasts until about the end of August, plant in early September.
In areas with late frosts or winter rainfall, wait until late September.
Push aside the winter chills and spring into action.
An African appetite
Have you considered growing an edible local fruit? These shrubs, trees and ground covers can form an aesthetic part of your garden and become a valuable, unusual food source:
The kei-apple (Dovyalis caffra) is an evergreen large shrub, or small tree, that creates an impenetrable hedge with its spiny thorns. The yellowish-orange fruits are delicious and mostly used for jam, jelly and syrup-making. The flowers feed honey-bees and attract butterflies while the fruit is a delicacy for several birds.
The shrub num-num (Carissa macrocarpa) and the ground cover num-num (Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’) both have beautiful glossy leaves with compact, thorny growth. They have star-like white flowers which have an orange-blossom fragrance with elongated mini plum-like num-num fruit, which is red when ripe. They can be eaten raw or made into jams or jellies. The num-num shrub is also rather impenetrable as a hedge. Carissa’s love the coastal weather but grow in most areas with light to mild frost.
Tip: They attract birds and butterflies and their flowers feed honey bees.
Have you ever had a bush milkshake? Well, now you can make your own. The cross-berry (Grewia occidentalis) is a fine, hardy landscaping shrub that produces little purple berries, which are relished by birds and man alike. The dried fruits can be boiled in milk to make your bushveld milkshake. If you’re feeling adventurous, they also make great tasting African beer.
Top tip: Improving your soil is the priority at this time of year. Before or at the time of planting, add and mix into it plenty of organic matter to the soil such as compost, manure, autumn leaves or other suitable products offered by your local GCA Garden Centre. This will boost soil fertility and ensure healthy plant growth.
It’s a pet’s life
Dogs will often eat grass blades when they have a stomach ailment. Did you know that there is a plant aptly named dog grass (Elymus caninus) that your dog will simply love to chew on rather than your lawn? You have the ideal excuse to indulge your dog this month since 10 August is Spoil your Dog Day! Cats are smitten with catnip (Nepeta cataria) and love to chew and roll all over the plant.
What to sow
Got that green finger tingle? Let’s sow some seeds. Even the lightest and laziest green finger will have success sowing these seeds:
Marigolds: A no-fuss annual that germinates quickly and blooms in no time. Sow marigolds after the threat of frost has passed. Marigolds are your first choice for an easy-go-lucky beauty in a sunny spot. There are many varieties to choose from, dwarf to tall and single to double flowers. Their colours range from sunshine yellow to cream, orange, gold, copper, brass and some with red highlights.
Claim to fame: Planted among veggies, marigolds are great companion plants since their scent repels many different pests.
Cosmos: Wait for frosts to pass before sowing. Cosmos is easy to grow and attracts birds, bees and butterflies. These pretty daisy flowers held up on delicate stems are mostly sold as a cheerful mix of colours and are fabulous to pick for the vase.
Cornflower: It is always so beautiful to find true blue flowers in the garden. Cornflower is a great cut-flower and attracts birds to the garden. Enjoy their edible paintbrush looking flowers in your salads.
Tip: The cornflower has nectar-rich flowers, which attract many beneficial insects to the garden. These are nature’s helpers and keep unwanted insects away.
Beans: Beans such as string beans are exceptionally easy to grow. They take up little space and are very productive. You can choose between growing bush beans or climbing beans. Bush beans grow to knee height and will benefit from something to hold on to or lean against, whereas a trellis or tall stake framework will be required for the climbing beans.
Tip: Bean flowers and leaves are also edible.
Flowering in pots, ready to add colour to the patio or the garden, are Pelargoniums. Bush geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) and ivy, or cascading geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum), some of the most-sought after of our indigenous plants. Geraniums are incredibly rewarding as garden plants and do exceptionally well in containers too. They love a sunny to semi-shade position and well-drained soil that should be moist but not wet. Give them a weekly mild liquid feeding for excellent results.
Coloured arum lilies: Although hybridised, they stem from our indigenous arums or Zantedeschias. Often referred to as Zant’s, they have the most beautiful, elegant vase-like flowers in gorgeous colours. You can buy them already in flower, in a pot, or as bulbs.
Tip: Zant’s are best planted in the sun.
There is a whole range of summer bulbs at your local GCA Garden Centre. These include Amaryllis, Eucomis or pineapple lily, flame lilies and more. The flame lily is the most delicate, precious climbing plant with exquisite flowers that is best planted where it can easily be seen and shown off, whether on an arch or frame in a pot.
Tip: Wait until next month to plant in very cold areas where late frosts are still expected and areas with winter rainfall.
Fruity fragrance
Lemon-scented verbena: Also known as Aloysia, this is a must-have if you enjoy drinking deliciously refreshing lemony tea. A delightful drink is easily made from the scented leaves or you could use them to add fragrance to the garden. If you locate the plant close to a path, the lemony scent will be released whenever a person brushes past the leaves. This rather wispy looking shrub can reach up to 2m in ideal conditions, but normally about 1m tall in areas of light to moderate frost as it can survive a little icy chill. Prune back every spring if you prefer a dense, bushy plant. It is easy to grow and the sprays of white flowers it bears are a bonus.
Claim to fame: The lemon-scented verbena leaves contain essential oils, which have many culinary and aromatherapy uses.
Tip: Verbenas like well-drained soil and prefer not to be watered in the evenings.
Lawn
Proud or pitiful? What makes the difference?
It’s time to give your Kikuyu lawn a boost with some spring treatment:
Scarify: Use a steel rake to remove thatch- the dry matted grass at the base of the leaves. The vigorous use of a plastic rake or hard-bristled yard broom can also work.
No 1 haircut: Mow the lawn with the mower blade set low.
Spike: Use a garden fork or aerator to punch holes all over the lawn.
Fertilise: Chose a fertiliser recommended by your local GCA Garden Centre.
Water: The lawn gets thirsty too!
Dress: Spread lawn dressing over the lawn and rake it evenly over the surface. A 30dm3 bag of lawn dressing covers 4 to 5 square metres.
Now just watch and wait for your stunning new grass to appear through the lawn dressing. Fertilise monthly for best results and water at least once a week until the rains start.
Shopping list:
A good, strong rake
Sharp new lawnmower blades
Garden fork or hollow tine aerator
Lawn fertiliser
Hosepipe and sprinkler
Lawn dressing
In coastal, lowveld and warm frost-free regions, sow these vegetables now: asparagus, Capsicum (peppers), carrots, cucumber, bush beans, aubergines (brinjals), all melons, all marrows, parsley, pumpkin, radish, runner beans, Swiss chard.
In winter rainfall areas sow these now: asparagus, beetroot, broad beans, Capsicum (peppers), carrots, cucumber (under protection), aubergines (brinjals), leeks, lettuce (Cos), all melons, all marrows, onions, parsnip peas, radish, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip.
