Senwes Scenario September - November 2021 | Page 66

GARDENING

GETTING YOUR

GARDEN

READY FOR SPRING

As the warm weather slowly starts to set in , we will be spending more time outside in the sun .
Kefiloe Manthata Senwes Journalist

Is your garden ready ? Here is a checklist of things that need to be in order for your garden to be in tip-top shape in time for Spring .

REMOVE THE WINTER PROTECTION
Avid gardeners know how important it is to protect your landscaped plants from the threat of winter frost during the cold season . It is time to remove that winter protection and assess your plants . Remove burlap barriers , wraps and other protective material from around your plants . Also remove any staking from new trees if they ' ve been in the ground for more than a year .
PULL OUT THOSE WEEDS
Whether you ’ re seeing left-over weeds from last year or new ones that sprouted in cool weather , eliminate them now when the ground ’ s still soft from winter . They ’ ll come out easier than in hard , dry summer soil . Especially remove them before they have a chance to grow and deeply root , and especially pull them before they have a chance to go to seed .
CHECK YOUR SOIL
Before you plant anything , you must make sure that your soil is properly prepped . Do a PH check on the soil and balance you soil PH levels with lime . Loosen compacted soil to provide airflow and allow young roots to grow easily . This is also a good time to top off raised beds with more soil .
FERTILIZE
Decide what fertilizer you ’ ll need based upon the plants you ’ ll be putting into that spot . Different plants have different needs . Feed all plants , including perennials , spring and summer bulbs , and perennial vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb . Fertilize roses after pruning .
PRUNE BLOOMING SPRING SHRUBS A good rule of thumb is not to remove more than 25 to 30 per cent of the shrub . If too heavily pruned , they can go into panic mode and produce a lot of sucker growth ( quick growing , straight stems that emanate from the root area of the plant and produce a thicket of growth .) Remove any branches that are getting in the way of walkways or buildings and any broken or damaged branches .
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SENWES SCENARIO | LENTE SPRING 2021