The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 16 Autumn 2016 Low res | Page 26

Monthly garden routine

The autumn guide
by Gill Olivey and Sally Meikle

A weekly and monthly guide to help beginner
gardeners or those who like a routine to see what
gardening chores should be done this autumn.

The weekly routine

Use this as a guideline to see what you should be doing on a weekly basis.
You can change the days to suit you or add other tasks. Where it says
‘monthly task’, do a task on the opposite page according to the month.

Everyday

MORNING
Feed animals and fill water bowls, put away bedding.
Water and deadhead pot plants and hanging baskets and clean up lawn.
Water the garden earlier rather than later in the day if you live in a cold area.
Remove garbage from house and recycle cans, bottles, plastic and paper.
Clean swimming pool.
EVENING
Switch off pool pumps.
Roll up hosepipes, clean garden tools and lock away.

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Monday

Weed and mulch veggie garden, water if necessary.
Feed annuals, pot plants and veggies where necessary.
Collect vegetables.
Backwash pool, weekly dose of alginate late afternoon.
MONTHLY TASK

Tuesday

Clean outside verge and sweep driveway.
Weed front lawn.
Deadhead roses before spraying on Wednesday.
Tidy shrubs and hedges.

Wednesday

Spray roses, annuals, veggies or any plants where necessary before it gets too hot.
Mulch beds to retain moisture.
Weed back lawn.

Thursday

Rake up the fallen leaves and use as a mulch or add to compost. Do not burn them.
Mow the lawn, trim edges, rake up grass and add to compost pile.
Water veggie garden if necessary and collect vegetables.

Friday

Remove faded flowers and add to compost. Remember to turn compost.
Wash cars.
Pick up fallen fruit and bury to keep fruit flies away.

Tips

Wear protective clothing to avoid contact with pesticides when spraying.
Have seats scattered about your garden in quiet corners.
Encourage birds into the garden with bird baths and plant material, too.
Mulch, mulch, and mulch!