The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 2 Spring 2012 | Page 28

What to do What to do in the garden this spring • If you didn’t give your perennials their spring treatment last month, do so now by tidying up their clumps, removing old leaves, forking in compost, a general fertiliser and mulch. Start watering, water once a week. • Start mowing and watering your lawns regularly. Fertilise once a month with Lawn fert and then water in immediately. • Fuchsias are the first of the favourites to make a splash this spring. Continue pinching back growing tips of fuchsias to promote side shoots and more flowers. SEPT This month brings new This month brings new delights everyday with delights everyday with all the blossoming all the blossoming and blooming. and blooming. Remember to maintain Remember to maintain a regular programme of a regular programme of fertilising, watering and deadheadiing, fertilising weeding. • Tie new growths of climbers to their supports while they are easy to bend. • It is time to sow and plant out your summer annuals so prepare your beds by digging in compost and a general fertiliser, such as Vegefert. • Continue to feed, water and deadhead your winter flowering annuals if they are still flowering. Pull them up as they finish flowering. • Stake the stems and heads of delphiniums as they are easily broken by wind and rain. Cut back the flowering spikes when they have finished flowering to encourage it to flower again. • Continue mulching during the hot and dry weather to prevent evaporation. • Continue pinching back growing tips of pelargoniums (geraniums) to encourage side shoots so they do not become leggy. • To maintain a lush green lawn, you need to fertilise with Lawn Fert; watering well before and after fertilising. The old saying goes ‘Don’t weed but feed!’ oct 28 October is one of the busiest times in the garden, but it is also one of the loveliest months too. Roses are at their best and all the spring and summer flowering shrubs are in bloom. • Pot up amaryllis bulbs in well-drained soil; making sure the shoulder of the bulb reaches just above the soil surface. Place in a warm position and water every 3 days. • During the dry weather, water shrubs once a week if water is plentiful, otherwise fortnightly will do. • Water hydrangeas twice a week.