Spruce up your annuals

Prune Fuchsias towards the end of August. A general rule is to cut back to two thirds removing dead weak or inward growing items. Fuchsias growing in the garden can be root pruned to maintain a balance between top growth and root structure by taking the sharpened blade of a spade and serving the roots following the drip line of each bush.

Lightly dig superphosphate and dolomatic lime around bearded iris rhisomes and water in well. keep rhizomes clear of other plants to allow sunlight to reach the exposed top of the rhizome. the rhizomes of Louisiana and Siberian irises are not exposed to light an d should not be given lime. Spread well- rotted kraal manure over their rhizomes and water regularly.

Towards the end of the month plant summer flowering coloured arum,caladium,cana, dahlia eucomis, glatonia, gladoli, trgridia and tuberose.

courtesy of Kay Montgomery

Mielie Bug potion

Spray bottle 1 cup water peppermint oil cine member sunlight soap shake the contents vigorously and spray every 7 days 2 litrs water 1 Tbsp bicarb 1 Tbsp oil 2 Tbsp sunlight liquid vigorous shake spray the under side if the plant, repeat every 7...

Grow bountiful basil

To experience one of natures mot delicious perfumes burry your nose in a handful of freshly picked basil leaves. The fragrance and flavour of basil have made it one of our most popular culinary, household herbs. It also has has many health benefits especially as a...

Create a water wise pavement garden

Transform your verge into an attractive water-wise low maintenance garden with plants that lure a myriad pollinators. By Kay Montgomery An attractive verge creates a favourable first impression of your property, but with the needs to save water, this area is often the...

Gardening tips

Molasse water for enriching the soil and increasing the microbes in the soil. Put half a cup of molasse in 9 liter of water. Pour it over the soil every 3 months Earthworm castings is very diverse in microbes. It is the poo of the red wickler earthworm. Use 1 cup...

Gardening tips

Lawns Lawn can be an attractive part of the garden, whether it is a playing surface haven in ones garden Herbs grow herbs in containers or include them among other bedding plants. When planting up new containers always use fresh herb potting soil. Water...

How to attract birds to your Garden

- Feed regularly with bird seed and fruit at a bird feeder. - Supply nesting opportunities with nesting logs - Build a pond, water feature or bird bath - Plant indigenous plants that attract birds - Tecomaria capensis (Cape Honeysuckle) - Leonotis leonurus (Wild...