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 ).