Gone are the days when rock gardens mean a cactus and stone desert. Have you heard about xeriscaping? Ever thought about pebbles and semi-precious stones as yard art? Life is a Garden sat down with industry experts to get the best advice, inspiration, and plant picks to help you save time and water while maximising your garden’s aesthetic beauty.  

Rocking around 

Stones and pebbles can become works of art in their own right. With so many different colours and textures, arrangements and complimenting accessories, rock gardens are for anyone looking to make a statement. The key to long-term success and almost no maintenance is good quality weed guard sheeting beneath your stone feature. Here are some rocking yard art ideas:

• The striking minimalist: Pair pure white pebbles with contrasting black tiles or black painted pavement slabs to give walkways and entrances a sleek look. Alternatively, go for equally bold black pebbles with a few summer-flowering, white button sedge (Kylinga alba) ornamental grasses to set off the contrast. This indigenous sun-loving evergreen produces a clustered white flower head that is carried on an elegant, long slender stem.

• Earth child: You can purchase bags of pink rose quartz (pebbles and rough stones) to use as centrepiece stone mandalas or walkable labyrinths. Pair your crystal arrangements with other softer stone shades (river rocks are lovely) and bring in some local steekblaarblinkgras (Melinis nerviglumis) to compliment the pink notes from the rose quartz. This very hardy ornamental grass will thrive in full sun and produces the sweetest plumes of fluffy pink to red seeds that appear all year round and attract seed-eating birds.

• Dare to be different: Ever heard of rock balancing? This is a recreational activity where different-sized stones/pebbles are precisely stacked on top of each other to create a beautiful work of art.

Topic: Fynbos and friends
Theme: Biodiversity and fynbos beds/containers for winter rainfall regions
Industry Expert Garden Centre: Arnelia Nurseries - https://arnelia.co.za/  

If you are a gardener living in a winter rainfall region – this Q and A with Arnelia Nurseries is your next must-read. Learn how to perfect your fynbos beds, utilise natural predators for pest control,  successfully grow in containers, and find out which top plants are suited for your area.

1.Out of all our stunning South African plants, what makes fynbos stand out for you?  

 Fynbos generally is adaptable and with an understanding and appreciation of the basic growing requirements, one is assured of success and a great deal of pleasure.  The variation in colours, foliage, heights, and the potential use of so many different varieties make fynbos in the garden a must-have.   

2. We love the fact that your nursery specialises in Proteaceae varieties. Could you please tell us about the biodiversity benefits of growing these indigenous plants? What kind of wildlife visitors do you get the most of on your farm?  

The Cape Floristic region is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and Proteaceae are the flagship of the Cape Flora. I think getting people to grow these indigenous plants in their gardens allows them to bring a piece of the famous Cape Flora home and hopefully create more awareness of the wonderful biodiversity that exists on our doorstep. Beyond creating awareness, planting fynbos has the benefit of attracting indigenous wildlife. On our farm, we have a lot of sunbirds as there is always something in flower to keep them interested. It is really special to see. Growing these plants in the city creates a space for all the animals, birds and insects to flourish where they would usually have no habitat and stay hidden.

Topic: Celebrating Citrus
Theme: Landscaping and decorating with citrus
Industry Expert: Dane Montana
Garden Centre: Montana Nurseries - https://www.montananurseries.co.za/

If you are looking to begin a citrus growing journey, come and learn some trade secrets, exclusively shared by our industry expert, Dane from Montana Nurseries. Incorporating these vibrant and versatile fruit trees as part of your landscaping design is easier than you may think. Check out Dane’s recommendations for which trees to grow in your province and get the best head start on your juicy journey.

1. What made you first fall in love with citrus growing? Why are citrus trees so special?

My dad, Alan Ross, started Montana Nurseries and began growing and farming citrus trees in our nursery. I have grown up with citrus and have always loved the variety of lemons, oranges, naartjies, and limes. Citrus trees are very rewarding and there’s always something happening, whether it be a new flush of sweet flowers or delicious fruit.

2. What are some of the reasons why gardeners should be growing citrus at home? Are there any benefits/advantages?

The main benefit is their juicy produce that’s loaded with vitamins. Citrus can be eaten as is or used in cooking or oils. The leaves of some varieties, such as the Thai lime, are used to create many fragrant and zesty dishes. The flowers are wonderfully scented too.

3. Besides utilising citrus trees for their produce, how could gardeners incorporate trees as part of their backyard landscaping design?

Citrus trees make great feature plants, either in the ground or in containers. There is a wide variety of cultivars with different coloured leaves, flowers and fruit. The ornamental types such as calamondins and chinotto are more of a shrub, whereas the commercial types such as lemon eureka and navels grow more like trees.

Life is a Garden received press coverage to the amount of R709 008,81  in the month of May. The below spreadsheet shows the total press coverage that Life is a Garden received in the month of May 2022.

To view the Life is a Garden –  May “Redbook” actual press clippings, please click here: https://www.redbook.co.za/share/book/c127eb11dc7050eb0e979f2556377e0d  

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Did you know that some plants prefer acidic or “sour “soil and other love ‘’sweet” or alkaline soils? In this article we will be focusing on acid loving plants and explain the difference between acid and alkaline soils. 

First let me explain what acidic or alkaline means and how it is measured.

The measure pH (power of hydrogen) is used on a scale from 0-14 to indicate how sweet or acidic soil is. Before we get to scientific, just remember that a pH7 is neutral, anything above is alkaline (pH8) and anything below is acidic (pH6). If the pH goes too high or too low certain elements in the soil becomes unavailable to our plants and will cause nutrient deficiencies. Although most plants grow very happily in soil with a pH7 – pH8 there are some exceptions that need acidic soil with a pH6 or even lower. These are plants like Azalea, Rhododendron, Camellia, Zantedeschia, Brunfelsia, Gardenia and Hydrangeas of which the latter’s colors can be manipulated by raising or lowering the pH of the soil. Blueberries and roses also appreciate acidic soil.

How can I lower the pH of my garden soil? 

It is much more difficult to lower the pH of soil than it is to raise it. A few natural ways are to use your discarded coffee grounds, Oak leaves, or Pine needles. Layer these on top of the soil and do not dig them in as it will rob the soil of nitrogen once it starts decomposing. This must be applied to the soil on a regular basis as soil tends to revert back to pH7 or neutral. Should you not have these items readily available or save yourself the hassle of collecting it, you can always go to your local garden center and purchase a couple of bags of Acid Compost.

Pruning and sealing

Not only does pruning promote new growth, but it also increases fruiting powerand capacity, ensuring the health of your plant. Throughout the season, taking your pruning in stages.

In early spring:

Prune grapes beforetheir sap starts to move in.In warmer areas, this may be your last chance to prune (like coastal Durban) but in warmer areas (inland or mountain regions), it can be done as the weather warms.

Top Tip* Avoid pruning peaches, plums and almonds while winter is still lingering because it can spread the silver leaf virus.

In late spring:

Prune back your citrus to open up the framework of the plant. By removing old growth, you are allowing more light into your plant or tree and also remove any diseased or dead wood.

As for your flowers prune back camellias as soon as they finished flowering. For extra assistance for a thorough clip and cut, refer to our pruning guide and arm yourself with Efekto Sterisel.This fungicidal pruning wound paste is designed to assist your pruning projects on all your roses, grapevines, shrubs and fruit trees.

Garden Guru Tip

For this season, in particular, protect your stone fruit treesby spraying with Efekto Virikop to protect them from leaf curl disease, with a once-off application after pruning.

Protection against mildew, black spot and aphids

Once you’ve clipped back your old growth, it’s time to eliminate any residual pests and stop new ones from moving in. Spray your deciduous fruit trees with a winter clean-up spray, like Efekto Kumulus WG and Efekto Oleum, to remove any overwintering pests and diseases.

Aphids

In warm areas, aphids may begin to appear on fresh new shoots. They can be identified by their small, pearshaped soft bodies, usually green to black in colour.You will notice them in small groups called colonies on leaves and new growth.

Like humans and animals, plants require regular feeding throughout the year – at least once a season. Happy, healthy, well-nourished plants are more resistant to pests, diseases, heat stress and frost.

Spring and autumn are the more recognised times to fertilise the garden, however summer and winter are just as important. Even though there’s no dramatic plant growth in winter, there is still plenty going on below the ground. Applying an organic fertiliser such as All Purpose or Bio Ocean introduces beneficial bacteria which stimulates activity within the soil, breaks down organic matter, unlocks nutrients and enhances root growth, providing your plants with a head start for spring.

The importance of organic fertiliser

With inorganic, or synthetic, garden fertilisers so plentiful, it might make a gardener wonder if it’s really all that important to use organic products instead. After all, it’s all about what works right now and makes the garden beautiful, right? Well…this is not the case. In organic gardening, the overall health of the soil and plants is the main concern, so while synthetic chemical fertilisers may do a job today, organic fertilisers ensure the health of the garden tomorrow.

We’ve highlighted the main advantages of organic fertiliser below:

Organic fertilisers work slowly. For organic fertilisers to work, the soil has to first break them down. This means that both the soil and the plants in it get the nutrition they need when they need it. Chemical fertilisers, although speedy, often overfeed the plant, do nothing for the soil, and can damage plants by burning them.

Organic fertilisers improve the soil. Organic materials and fertilisers improve the soil texture, allowing it to hold water longer, and increase the microbial activity in the soil. So, they not only assist your plants, they help the soil. Chemical fertilisers, on the other hand, deplete the soil of its nutrients, making it unproductive.

Whether you are a McEntire from Glasgow or a Makatini from Maritz borough, not mulching your garden might just ruin a friendship.

Why mulch? Where do we start when it comes to mulching a garden? What can I use as a mulch? Where can I get mulching materials from? These are some of the most frequently asked questions about mulch. Let’s see if we can shed some light on some of these pressing issues and remove all doubt about mulch.

Firstly, the benefits of mulch in the garden are endless as one of the biggest reasons to mulch is water retention. We live in a country with quite a low rainfall, and it is vital to utilize this precious natural gift to the best of our ability. By mulching we create a blanket that covers the naked soil and protects it. So, when the rains come the water seeps through the mulch into the soil and less of it runs off ending up where it is of little use. Once the water is trapped under the layer of mulch it cannot evaporate easily, nor can the soil be dried out by the sun or wind. This can save an enormous amount of water. When weed seeds are blown in by the wind and lands on top of the mulch, they do not stand a good chance at germinating or developing into weeds and if they do, are easily removed. Mulch also creates the right environment for all the good microorganisms your garden needs to be healthy. These little critters as well as earthworms and other beneficial insects will slowly decompose the mulch from below and make the nutrients available to your plants. Soil temperature control is another added benefit of mulch, keeping the soil cooler during the day and warmer at night, protecting the root zone of your plants.

For decades, South African gardeners have looked to MayFord Seed to bring them the newest releases and the best quality seed at affordable prices. This spring we are in for a treat.

MayFord Seed are releasing a Mega Pack range of SA’s 12 favourite flower seeds. 7 spring and summer planting varieties are on the shelves now, with 5 arriving in time for the autumn planting season. This means that gardeners will be able fill their flower beds and patio pots with gorgeous colour without punishing their wallets.

SA's 12 favourite flowering seeds are:

Summer - Meadow Mix, Alyssum 'Carpet of Snow', Marigold 'Sunset Giants', Portulaca grandiflora 'Double Mix', Zinnia 'Sunbow', Eschscholtsia 'Californian Poppy' and Nasturtium.

Winter - Sweet Pea 'Early Multiflora Mixed', Dimorhptheca 'African Daisy Mixed',  Dimorphotheca 'Glistening White', Mesembryanthemum 'Livingstone Daisy Mixed',  Dimorphotheca 'Pastel Shades'.

To help to make sure that you are getting exactly what you are looking for or, if you are not sure exactly what it is you should be planting, MayFord have added insets to the packaging. Icons like ‘Throw & Sow’ indicates easy to grow, ‘Waterwise’ & ‘Indigenous’ means its a low water user, ‘Bee Friendly’ is pollinator friendly, ‘Cut Flower’ lets you know they’re good for the vase and a button showing you just how much space the seed will cover, e.g. ‘Enough for’ 5m².

While most gardeners find growing their flowers from seed both economical and easy to do, for those who are just starting on their green, flower filled journey, the instructions on the back of the pack have also been revamped. Borrowing from the highly successful sowing pictograms on their lawn seed packets, you are now shown how to measure out the square metres of the sowing area. Take Alyssum for example. One packet will cover 5 m² and since it’s easy enough to spread seed over one square metre at a time, you are shown you how to decant the seed packet into 5 equal piles (1 pile for each 1m²) onto white paper.

Working from home, for many of us, could well be here to stay and the pros are numerous – increased productivity, less time wasted commuting, lower stress levels and a greater balance between office and family life. On the flipside, there’s the danger of the workday which never ends because your office is right there, in the heart of your home – always beckoning you to check for emails, complete one last document.

The solution: escape to your garden! But, don’t just sit there, get your hands dirty; sow seeds, plant seedlings, feed flowers, fruit trees and lawns and you’ll soon be taking regular healthy breaks from your desk to check on the progress – it’s addictive in the best possible way. Now that autumn has arrived, you’ve got an ideal opportunity to sow and plant in time to take advantage of the winter rains and bask in the glory of your garden’s springtime show.

Tips for Vegetable Growing

• Soil needs to be well-worked, raked through and free of debris, which could hamper the development of roots. Root crops enjoy a more sandy soil as this is best for their development, clay soils in your garden could hinder the development of bulbs and roots, as it is more compact.
• Use Superphosphate or Bonemeal which are the organic and chemical root stimulants in the soil mixture and a sprinkling of Bounce Back or Talborne on the surface 100g per square meter at planting to ensure success.
• Root crops enjoy sunny positions or areas which receive a lot of light. Plants should be kept moist during the germination period. Feed with Bounce Back or Talborne at 50g per square meter during the growing phase.
• When your veggies are ready and have been harvested, remember to place the onions in a cool, dark place to dry.

“We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it is our garden that is nurturing us.” Jenny Uglow

These words are so true. Gardening is a relationship – a constant exchange of give and take - and like all relationships, it takes a little work to maintain. One of the most important things to provide for your plants each season is nutrients. Strategic use of fertilizers is a simple way to boost your garden and potted plants, and in turn be rewarded with lush greens, delicious edibles and a showier display of flowers each season.

There are so many different types and forms of fertilizer that it can be overwhelming when faced with all the options at your local garden centre. But taking the time to understand the products, their applications and your garden’s specific needs is a worthwhile process!

Organic versus Inorganic

 Inorganic Fertilizers are synthetic or artificial forms of plant nutrients and minerals. Simply put, they are man-made. Inorganics are usually faster acting than organics and include fertilizers such as Superphosphate and LAN (limestone ammonium nitrate.)

 Organic Fertilizers come from natural plant or animal sources and are slightly slower acting than inorganic fertilizers. They consist of large molecules that need to be broken down by soil organisms before their nutrients become available. Examples include Culterra’s Bone Meal, Organic Lawn Booster, Organic Seedling Food and Chicken Manure pellets.

Granular versus Liquid

Liquid fertilizers are your plants’ quick fix. They come either in a liquid-soluble powder or a liquid concentrate.Both require mixing with water before application to your plants using either a watering can or spray bottle. These nutrients last only one to two weeks, so you will need to apply it often. The major advantage, however, is that the nutrients are absorbed quickly and thus the positive results are almost instantaneous.

Step 1: Palm Peat :

Place a Palm Peat brick into a 10l container and add 3l of lukewarm water. Once the Palm Peat has absorbed the water, break it up and squeeze out the excess water. Your Palm Peat is now ready to use. Mix a third of Palm Peat with your potting soil.

Step 2: Hydrocache:

Place one spoon of Hydrocache add to container and add 1l of water. Mix the Hydrocache and water together until it forms a gel.

Step 3: Bonemeal:

Place one handful of Bonemeal into the soil of your hanging basket. Add two handfuls of Palm Peat and three spoons of Hydrocache to your basket and mix together.

Step 4: Kelpak:

Add the bottle of Kelpak (natural liquid seaweed concentrate) to a container together with the same about of water. Dip the roots of the plants into the Kelpak mixture and plant into your basket.

Step 5: Nutrifeed:

Add two spoons of Nutrifeed to a watering can filled with water and stir well. Water the plants in your hanging basket. Repeat every 2 weeks.

To check out Starke Ayres  complete range of products visit their website https://www.starkeayres.com/home

Getting to grips with when & where to use what soil…

When it comes to gardening and growing, “down to earth” is not just a compliment - it’s a necessity! We all know that healthy gardens start with healthy soil, but different plants also have different requirements. Do you know which bag of soil to select when faced with the wide range available at your local garden centre? Don’t worry - we have a few simple tips to help you get your “soil’s worth” next time you invest time and money in your garden!

You’re starting from seed …

Use Professional Germination Mix.

This lightly blended, soilless mix is carefully formulated for optimal seed germination. Fill your trays with this delicate mix, sow your seed and watch the space!

You’re planting out seedlings …

Use Seedling Mix.

Transplant seedlings from Germination Mix directly into Seedling Mix for cavity trays, flower boxes or window boxes. This will ensure that you grow healthy and resilient transplants with strong root systems.

You’re planting lawn …

Use Compost. Dig compost into your existing garden to enrich the earth before laying down instant lawn or sowing your choice of grass seed.

You’re feeding an existing lawn …

Use Lawndressing. Usually done in spring, scarify your lawn and apply a layer of organic lawndressing to transform your dull grass into a lush meadow of green!

You’re adjusting soil levels …

Use Topsoil. A good quality topsoil is best for filling holes in your lawn or adding height to flower beds. It can also be used in large raised beds, mixed with compost, to create better growing conditions.

You’re planting in a container …

Use Professional Potting Mix

This is the “just right” soil of the gardening world. It’s suitable for most plants so fill your pots and plant directly.

Rich red in colour and silky sweet to taste, few fruits are as quintessential of a sunny summer’s day as are strawberries. If it is taste and packed in goodness you are after, we all know that nothing beats growing your own.

Known for being at the forefront of innovation and always happy to oblige, MayFord Seed will be offering strawberry seed to gardeners around the country, a South African first. And not just any strawberry. This is a high quality, world class strawberry variety that wouldn’t be out of place in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

Strawberry ‘Florian’ offers up delightful, bright pink blooms that are followed by a heavy crop of perfectly sized, aromatic, red fruit with a distinct Japanese style flavour to them. Be ready to be amazed as the sheer volume and quality of the fruit, coupled with the unbelievable taste will blow you away. Sow in spring and harvest the delicious fruits from early summer right through until autumn.

Strawberry 'Florian' is an ever bearing variety that forms a compact plant just 35cm wide. The plants are ideally suited to being grown outdoors, either in their own row in a veg garden, or because their flowers and fruit are so attractive in your garden beds. If space is limited, you don’t have to miss out; ‘Florian’s’ compact form makes it perfect for container planting on a sunny patio. Because it fruits from its runners as well as the main plant, 'Florian' is ideal for growing in hanging baskets.

Top Tips

• Sow from early spring in seed trays using coir/peat or seedling mix.
• The seed is very small so cover lightly, press down and keep moist.
• Be patient as germinations takes up to 3 weeks.
• After about 8 weeks or when they are large enough to handle, the seedlings are ready to be planted out.

Life is a Garden is calling on all the fairies, princesses, queens and creatures of the garden to come out and DIY with us. We’ve got a little something special for the girls this October - drum roll, please… enter the flower crown! In celebration of October rose month as well as Garden Day on the 9th October, we are blushing shades of pink and green to bring you these lovely flower crown ideas using succulents and roses.

Here’s a step by step to creating your up-cycle can masterpiece.

You will need:

• An Alice-band and/or pliable craft wire
• A few glorious succulents, roses, and some viney plant strands (Ivy may work nicely)
• Green insulation tape, twine or ribbon
• Superglue
• Scissors and maybe some pliers
• Bits and bobs of pretty arts and crafts goodies like shells and beads if you like

Getting started

The first thing our DIY fairies need to decide on is whether they would like to decorate an existing Alice-band or if they would like to create a crown from scratch. Secondly, have a look in the garden at what kind of succulents, roses, and other vine-type plants are available. Head off to your local GCA Garden Centre for those special flowers and vinery you may want to add. Gather your arts and crafts goodies and prep your creation station.

Preparing your headband

If you are using an existing Alice-band, we recommend you choose one that is a little wider to give you more of a surface on which to stick and wrap your goodies. Alternately, if you’re creating a headband from craft wire, we recommend using at least two strands of wire together for more stability and also for more surface area to work with.

Breathing life into your creation

• Step 1: Single out your centrepiece succulents and roses.

We love upcycling almost as much as we love gardening – and that’s like, allot! For this month’s DIY, Life is a Garden is inviting you to accept our eco-friendly, trash to treasure project, all about cans, creativity, and décor. If you also get that funny feeling whenever you throw away a can, that’s probably because: A – you care about the environment and just can’t bear the thought of a turtle choking on baked beans packaging, and B – like us, you can see the exciting, uncharted, open canvas of that baked beans tin that just screams “decorate me”.

Here’s a step by step to creating your upcycle can masterpiece.

You will need:

• Some empty washed cans with a few holes made in the bottom (time to put that buying in bulk stage to good use)
• String/twine/ribbon (natural fibre string or coloured string, depending on your vibe)
• Some pebbles (store-bought or from the garden)
• Moss (real moss available at your GCA Garden Centre or visit your local craft shop for fake moss sheets)
• Arts and crafts accessories you have lying around
• Super superglue or double-sided tape

How to decorate:

• Start by thinking about which cans will be for outdoor and indoor decoration to determine which décor accessories would work best.
• Have a look at all your goodies and think about the theme/colour scheme you’re going for to spice up your chosen area.
• Use the superglue or double-sided tape to secure your string/twine/ribbon around the can.
• If you are using pebbles or shells, pop them on too with some superglue.
• Add a little texture to your can by tying a different piece of string/twine/ribbon around it. This will also help to keep your design together.

Décor tip: You could always decorate half of the can one way, and the rest with a different accessory.

No doubt some of you organised and de-cluttered over lockdown, but there are some items that we just cannot bear to part with. We’ll show you how to transform your sentimental doll into something functional with a new look to exhibit the beauty of the memories. After all, it’s not considered clutter if it brings you joy.

For this upcycle planter project, you will need:

• An old doll
• One and a half cups cornstarch
• One cup white liquid school glue
• One tablespoon vinegar
• One teaspoon body lotion
• One tablespoon glycerine or baby oil

Start by mixing the cornstarch and the glue. Add the vinegar, body lotion and glycerine, keep mixing. Warning: it will be messy! But mission on, the texture will improve the more you combine the ingredients. If you find at this point that the mixture is too flimsy, add a little extra cornstarch until the mixture is smooth, soft and squishy. Prepare a clean countertop with a little cornstarch and spread out the mixture. Knead it as you would dough for bread.

Top Tip: dust your hands with a little cornstarch to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. Once the clay mix is firm but still soft and pliable, you can cover it with plastic and set it aside while you prepare the doll.

Wipe the doll clean and remove any clothing or accessories. Take a craft knife and cut the head open. Make sure that the doll you choose can sit upright without any help, otherwise the planter might be too top-heavy and topple over.

Once the doll is prepped you can now cover it with thin layers of clay. We’ve covered the one side and let it dry overnight before we flipped the doll over and covered the other side. The drying time is about 12 hours but may be more depending on the thickness.