Creating and maintaining a garden is something that takes a lot of time, effort and creativity. Let’s take a look at the best ideas to make your winter garden something to be proud of!
As winter is coming into full swing, it is important that you prepare your garden for the winter months, here are a few tips below:
It is important to tidy your garden by doing the following:
- Rake all unwanted leaves
- Make a compost heap
- Remove all leaves in the crowns of the plants to avoid rotting of the crown which will destroy plants
- Prune plants that are slightly out of shape
- Prune lightly so that plants are not heavily exposed to the cold winter temperatures
During South African winter months try to plant the following flowers as their soft colours compliment the winter skies:
- Pansies
- Dianthus
- Calendula
- Poppies
- Stocks
- Daisies
- Snap Dragons
- Gazania
- Verbena
- Sweet peas
- Godetia
The following vegetables are ideal to plant during the winter months as they help to boost the immune system:
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Peas
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Leeks
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Lettuce
If you have the following plants in your garden, they might need extra protection during the winter months:
- Tree ferns
- Fuchsia
- Duranta varieties
- Ficus varieties
- Cape honeysuckle
- Bougainvillea
- Brush cherry varieties
- Cuphea
- Hibiscus varieties
- Mandeville varieties
- Elephant ears
- Heliotrope
Flower bulbs are the ideal addition to your winter garden and their magnificent blooms are extravagant and the perfect way to bring in a seasonal change.
In order to plant these bulbs, the soil needs to be conditioned to retain the moisture and nutrients to grow the plants. It is important to use fresh potting soil for the potting of bulbs to ensure there is enough moisture for the growing bulbs.
Planting bulbs can be difficult at times. Please ensure that the pointy tip of the bulb is facing upwards or place the bulb on its side and the bulb will naturally correct itself as it grows.
Most winter-spring flowering bulbs become available during April and May as winter approaches. It is important to plant these bulbs at the correct time so that they flower for a long period of time.
The packaging for the bulbs will give you the correct information regarding the planting period, depth requirement and flowering times.
It is important that you water and feed these bulbs correctly in order to get a beautiful flower display. They need to be watered every 3-4 days however if they are planted in small pots they might need watering daily. Once they have finished flowering, continue to feed them as they will be making new flowers for the next season.
Lastly, get the kids involved in the winter garden by doing the following:
- Show them how to weed an area by slowly pulling the weeds up
- Ask them to choose a seedling to plant and give them the opportunity to care for their own plant and let them watch it grow!
- Teach them which insects are harmful to plants
- Let them decorate the garden by painting rocks or choosing décor
- Get them some children’s gardening tools so they can actively help in the garden
If you follow all the necessary steps, your winter garden will blossom nicely and will surely be admired by all!
If you enjoy gardening, then follow some of the above tips so that your garden stays in tip top shape all year round!
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