SEPTEMBER 2017 Greenstone LIFE | 9
SEPTEMBER 2017 Greenstone LIFE | 9
Allergies can be the reason you aren’ t reaching the deeper, more restorative phases of sleep during the springtime. It is a season where the days and the nights will start getting warmer. Why not settle on the soft luxurious touch of bamboo fabric on the mattress? Woven into a cool, soft, silk-like fabric which is more breathable than cotton, bamboo is just what you may need to fight off the effects that bed bugs, dust mites and other bacterial forces may have on asthma, hay fever or eczema suffers.
Spring time is the land awakening... So why not wake up on one of the best there is? For more information, call Mattress Gallery on 011-524-0336.
Car care in spring Spring may bring a respite from chilly winter temperatures, but the season presents its own challenges too.
• Battery: After a long, cold winter your car’ s battery might not be in the best state. Cold temperatures affect the chemical processes in the battery, and can lead to a drop in performance. Take your car to a mechanic to have the battery tested, or do it yourself using a battery tester. If the battery is down on power give it a good charge using a battery charger, or, if it’ s over five years old, replace it with a newer model.
• Tyre pressure and condition: September showers might make for slippery driving
conditions, but you can combat this by checking the pressure and condition of your tyres throughout the season. We’ d recommend giving your tyres a good once over at least every fortnight, and that includes their pressure and overall condition. Look for signs of uneven tread wear, and rotate them if necessary.
• Windscreen wipers: Your windscreen wipers will likely have taken a bit of a beating through the winter, and spring rains mean they aren’ t out of the woods just yet. If there’ s any wear or cracks on the wiper blade, this could impair visibility or even damage your windscreen, so it’ s worth checking and replacing them if you notice any defects. Sources: www. championshipboerewors. co. za; www. glamour. co. za; www. autotrader. com
This month in the garden
TThe inspiring scent of spring is in the air. The sap is rising and leaves and blossoms are transforming our world. It’ s time to take action to get the best out of your garden.
here is nothing quite like the sweet scent of jasmine to mark the beginning of spring. Jasmine is easy to grow and there are several types This is not a true jasmine but it looks like jasmine( hence
Trachelospermum jasminoides( Star Jasmine)
so you can choose one that suits your gardening style. They will grow the name). Star jasmine has become very popular in in sun or semi-shade but preferably not in hot afternoon sun.
Gauteng as it is such a versatile plant. This climber is neat with attractive leaves. It is drought and frost resistant, so looks good all year. It can be used as a climber, a
Jasminum polyanthum( Pink or common Jasmine) Nothing can beat the spectacular spring show of flowers and strong ground cover, or as a short hedge. It does well in a frame scent that permeates the air with our well known jasmine. It is a fast or as topiary. It flowers prolifically in spring and has growing and invasive climber that can get out of hand. It needs to be pruned flushes throughout summer. Star jasmine will tolerate a often in summer if you want to control it. If you like a rather untamed looking hot full sun position, or grow in shade. garden then this jasmine will suit you well. This jasmine flowers only in spring.
Jasminum multipartitum( Starry wild Jasmine) Our indigenous jasmine. It is classified as a rambling shrub, which means that it can climb, but I think its best kept neat, with occasional pruning into a rounded shape. It flowers on and off throughout spring and summer. The leaves are attractive even when there are no flowers. Wild jasmine does well in pots and in the garden. This Jasmine will attract butterflies, bees and birds to your garden.
gardening Q & a Q: I would like to stop using chemicals in my garden but when I have tried in the past, the insects have destroyed my vegetables and I get so frustrated I feel like giving up! Any suggestions?
A: I would suggest a slow change. We sometimes have an all or nothing approach, which doesn’ t always work. Insects have a tendency to attack plants that are not healthy. The first step is to get your plants into a state of optimal growth. This means building up the soil to ensure all the relevant nutrients are available, and giving your plants enough( but not too much) water. It is also important for plants to get the correct amount of sunlight for their needs. In your case, most veggies enjoy a full day of sun( at least five hours of sun if that is all your garden has).
Compost, manure and bone meal is a good start to nourishing the soil and should be turned in before planting. Gardening can be expensive so this can be achieved one bed at a time. I add these things to my beds every time I plant. A healthy soil is alive with microbes and bacteria beneficial to plants. It is a good idea to mulch over the soil after planting to protect these organisms. You can try alternating your vegetables so you don’ t have similar types together, e. g., a row of cabbage, then onion then carrots, before planting broccoli( similar to cabbage). This can discourage the spread of insects and disease. Planting nasturtium flowers near your vegetables can attract aphids away from the veggies. Planting marigolds in the veggie garden will prevent the spread of about wendy wright nematodes that attack the roots. There As a horticulturalist, Wendy is are a few organic sprays on the market qualified to offer garden consultations, and you can make your own from garlic and cayenne pepper as a deterrent regarding the health and wellbeing of your garden. She also designs on susceptible plants. gardens( domestic and
Spraying chemicals should be a industrial) and offers last resort, and as your plants become garden reconstruction, healthier with the improvement of trading as Green Scene your soil, you should be able to stop
Landscaping. For more chemicals completely. As you reduce information, call 076- spraying, the natural predators will
826-7288 or email increase and help you in the garden greenscene @ vodamail. co. za too( like ladybirds).