How to plant a plant Back to Basics
Out the pot and into the ground, simple as that, right? If you would like your plants to thrive there are in fact several important aspects to consider in perfecting the art of transplanting. New additions to the garden can cost a couple of pennies too, so let’s make sure you get all the bloom for your buck. Here is Life is a Garden’s guide on how to properly plant a new plant.
Reading planting instructions
The information provided on every pot or label at the nursery contains essential information that helps you make an informed decision on what to choose and where to plant. Each container and seed packet indicates:
- Sowing/growing season (when to plant it)
- Position (amount of sun/shade needed)
- Spacing (how far apart they need to be from the next plant)
- Watering guide (how often to water)
- Germination and flowering (how long seeds take to germinate and when they plant flowers)
*Top tip: GCA Garden Centre attendants are both knowledgeable and friendly. They are available to help you choose the best plants for your environment. Ask them for help and they’ll show you which new lovelies are best suited to your needs.
Planting in pots
If you have chosen to grow in a container, here are some simple ways to give your new plant the best head start in life. Remember to ask your garden centre advisor to assist you in choosing the correct potting mix and fertiliser for your plant.
- Wash your homing pot before transplanting with a gentle disinfecting soap.
- Ensure there are sufficient drainage holes.
- Line your planter to keep it clean and help protect plants against mineral deposits and disease. Ask your garden centre advisor about which lining material would be best for your container and plant. Remember to also make drainage holes in the lining.
March in the Garden Checklist Gardening Checklist
As the last month of summer comes to an end, it’s time to start preparing the garden for autumn and winter growing. March presents ideal conditions for sowing seeds as the day temperatures are still warm enough, while night temperatures begin dropping gradually. This is also a great time for cool-season seed germination varieties, and let’s not forget that much-loved gardening maintenance.
Flowers and foliage
The autumn climate is well-suited for planting as new roots get a chance to establish themselves before spring. Try sowing these lovelies now for a brilliant flush of colour and fragrance:
- African daisy (Dimorphoteca) to beautify beds, borders, and containers.
- Livingstone daisy, known also as Bokbaai vygie (Mesembryanthemum) are colourful customers.
- Virginian stocks (Malcolmia maritima) as an enthusiastic and cheerful bloom.
- Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) to keep pests at bay in the veggie patch.
- Blue Felicia bush (Felicia amelloides) for fast-growing, striking sky-blue flowers.
Sweet peas
Before sowing sweet peas, prepare their new home by digging deep trenches and working in some nutritious compost from your local GCA Garden Centre. Bonemeal (if you don’t have dogs) and super-phosphate are excellent choices to assist in creating your sweet pea sanctuary. Remember to soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water before sowing directly into the ground.
Roses
Roses are a simply spectacular sight in autumn! To ensure quality blooms into winter, continue with regular preventative treatments/spraying for black spot, beetles and bollworm. As the days get shorter, the roses start to go dormant and withdraw food from their leaves. To compensate for this and to provide enough food for new growth and flowers, fertilise with rose food – your GCA Garden Centre guy can advise you on the best option. Regular watering is very important if there is insufficient rainfall.
