The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 1 Winter 2012 | Page 17

What to do - August
cut this
out and
stick it
on your
fridge

• Towards the end of the month, cut the lawn short, apply
a lawn fertiliser and water it in well.
• When the weather warms up, shrubs, perennials, trees
and creepers can be given an application of fertiliser
(Vegefert), followed by a thorough watering.
• When fertilising trees, spread the fertiliser over the root
area. Start at least 10 – 20 cm from the trunk and go
out to just beyond the drip line, which is an imaginary
circular line that lies directly beneath the outer
perimeter of the branches.

AUG

The end of winter is in sight
so it is time to plan for the
spring garden. The three
main tasks are to feed,
enrich the soil and finish
off the pruning and shaping
that began last month.

• Increase the watering to once a week for most plants
when warmer.
• Enrich the soil in beds by digging in compost as deeply
as possible and renew the mulch around all plants.
• Finish pruning shrubs this month which you didn’t
prune last month.
• Cut back poinsettias by two thirds when they have
finished flowering to encourage a better shape.
• Continue to feed, water and deadhead winter annuals.

What seedlings to plant
JUNE & JULY
Alyssum, antirrhinum, aquilegia, calendula, cineraria, cleome, cornflower, delphinium,
dianthus, foxglove, Iceland poppy, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, petunia, primula,
sweet pea, Virginian stocks and viola.

AUGUST
Alyssum, antirrhinum, aquilegia, bedding dahlia, dianthus, gaillardia, lavatera, lobelia,
marigold, pansy, salvia and viola.

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