Hamilton's comprehensive guide to spring gardening in 2024
Category News
Spring is the perfect season to revitalise your garden and create a vibrant outdoor space for you and your family. With longer days and warmer weather, the season of rebirth is the ideal time to embrace new gardening aesthetics on-trend in South Africa.
In this guide, we'll explore the changes to hard landscaping, the best time for lawn dressing, and the perfect annuals to plant for a colourful display.
Value of improving your garden
Improving your garden enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home, increases its listing value, and offers you a sanctuary of solace. A manicured garden should serve as an extension of your living space, open for relaxation, entertainment, and even exercise. There's simply no reason why investing time and effort into your garden this spring should be overlooked!
Changes to hard landscaping - Now is the time!
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Just before spring is an excellent time to change your hard landscaping. It sets the baseline for ensuring your garden is functional and stylish and involves using durable materials such as stone, concrete, and gravel to create pathways, patios, and other structures.
Consider these ideas to get you started:
- Transform unusable areas
Poor drainage can lead to muddy patches where grass doesn't grow. Rather use paving, gravel or astroturf in these areas to avoid constant headaches and unnecessary maintenance. Enhance the space with garden furniture, a barbecue, or potted plants.
- Manage overgrown gardens
If you have an overgrown garden or extensive lawn that's hard to maintain, consider paving or adding a patio. This creates a low-maintenance environment. Add a pergola with garden lights and grow grapevines or sweet-smelling climbers like jasmine and honeysuckle to soften the look.
- Replace damaged walls and fencing
Old, moss-covered, or discoloured walls and fences are an eye-sore and detract from your garden's appearance. Consider replacing old fences or deep cleaning your walls with a pressure hose, if their structure allows, for maximum results. You also can't go wrong with a fresh coat of paint.
- Rejuvenate pathways
A well-laid pathway adds structure and encourages the use of your outdoor space. Replace or repair pathways that have become uneven, dirty, or overgrown with weeds to keep things neat and fresh.
Lawn dressing - The best time?
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Top-dressing your lawn in spring is essential for encouraging new growth and maintaining a healthy lawn. Top dressing involves applying a mixture of fine sand and composted material to your lawn to improve soil quality and promote vigorous growth.
Here's how to do it:
- Timing
The best time for lawn dressing is spring before the weather gets too hot. This ensures your lawn can establish solid roots and thrive throughout the summer.
- Preparation
Mow your lawn lightly to remove just the tips of the new growth. This allows the soil to drop through. In some instances, aerating the lawn may be necessary to allow water to penetrate more deeply.
- Application
Using a wheelbarrow and spade, spread the top dressing mixture evenly over your lawn. The soil cover should be about 1 cm thick, ensuring the grass blades protrude through the soil.
- Watering
Water the lawn thoroughly after top dressing to help the soil settle and encourage growth. To replenish nutrients, an eco-friendly fertiliser can be applied before or after top dressing.
Annuals - when and what to plant
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Annuals are a fantastic way to add instant colour and vibrancy to your garden. These plants complete their life cycle in one season, providing a burst of flowers from spring to late summer. Here are some popular annuals to consider:
- Annuals
In South Africa, planting annuals in spring is generally feasible in many regions, but the specific types of annuals that can be planted successfully depend on the climate and conditions of each region. Here's an overview of common regions and considerations for planting annuals in spring:
Coastal Regions (e.g., Durban, Cape Town)
Climate: Mild and humid with moderate temperatures.
Suitable Annuals: Marigolds, petunias, impatiens, zinnias, and begonias.
Considerations: Coastal regions typically do not experience frost, so a wide variety of annuals can thrive here. Ensure good drainage and be mindful of salt tolerance near the ocean.
Inland Highveld (e.g., Johannesburg, Pretoria)
Climate: Warm with a chance of late frosts.
Suitable Annuals: Marigolds, petunias, pansies, snapdragons, and lobelias.
Considerations:: Start planting after the risk of frost has passed. Highveld regions have distinct seasons, and early spring frosts can affect sensitive annuals.
Arid and Semi-Arid Regions (e.g., Northern Cape)
Climate: Hot and dry with significant temperature variations.
Suitable Annuals: Portulaca, zinnias, gazanias, and sunflowers.
Considerations: Choose drought-tolerant annuals that can withstand high temperatures and low water availability. Mulching can help retain soil moisture.
Mediterranean Climate (e.g., Western Cape)
Climate: Wet winters and dry summers.
Suitable Annuals: Marigolds, petunias, pansies, and snapdragons.
Considerations: Spring is the ideal planting time as the soil is still moist from winter rains. Ensure plants are well-established before the dry summer months.
General Tips for Planting Annuals in South Africa:
Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-draining and enriched with compost.
Watering: Regular watering is crucial, especially in drier regions.
Frost Protection: Use frost cloths or plant after the last frost in colder regions.
Sunlight: Most annuals require full sun, but check specific light requirements for each plant.
By understanding the specific conditions of your region, you can choose the right annuals and ensure they thrive when planted in spring. For more localised advice, consulting with local nurseries or agricultural extension services can be beneficial.
- The best time to plant
The best time to plant annuals is in early spring after the last frost has passed. This allows them to take advantage of the full growing season. For areas with mild winters, you can also plant annuals in autumn for a burst of colour in the cooler months.
- Benefits
Annuals are great for filling gaps left by dormant perennials and bulbs. They attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to your garden. They're also cost-effective, usually sold in seedling trays, and provide a season-long display of colour.
- Care
Extend the blooming season by practising deadheading, which prevents flowers from going to seed and encourages more blooms. Add bone meal to the beds when planting and feed the seedlings fortnightly with balanced seedling food.
For more gardening tips and inspiration visit:
www.tanyavisser.com
From gardening tools I dig, to beautiful gifts for the gardener in your life, you can find just what your green fingers desire right here. My top pick products are the ones that I proudly endorse. Enjoy!
www.keithkirsten.com
Keith Kirsten has played a major role in making gardening the universal joy it is today. His enthusiasm remains undimmed, and he is happiest spending his time in gardens, with gardeners - and of course with his beloved plants.
Landscaping professionals:
Cape Town Landscapers
Village Gardens
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Fynbos Landscapes
Gauteng Landscapers
Landscape Guru
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Eastern Cape Landscapers
Helen Sparg Landscaping
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Ojas Landscapers
https://uptasker.co.za/b/ojas-landscapes-35503
Garden Route
Coastal Landscape Consultants
https://www.facebook.com/p/Coastal-landscaping-Design-100063544754568/
Nurseries:
Gauteng
GardenShop
Random Harvest Indigenous Plant Nursery
Eckards Garden Pavilion
Cape Town
Hart Nursery
Plant Culture - Stellenbosh
Stodels
Garden Route
George
Norgariver Nursery
Knysna
Elements Nursery
Penhill Nursery
Plettenberg Bay
Red Shed Nursery
Create a beautiful, functional, low-maintenance garden that enhances your home and provides seasonal enjoyment. Happy gardening!
Read our previous article here
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Author: Bryce Anderson