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"Because Gardening is supposed to be fun!"

www.gardendesign.co.za
Wayne: 083 289 2009

The rain has finally arrived, thank goodness! No we must just pray that it continues and fills the dams and nourishes your garden.

Ever wonder why your pool turns green when there is lightning? Well, when there is a lightning strike, nitrogen is released, this nitrogen is then picked up by the rain and released into your pool. Now in the air, you also have algae spores which are just waiting for the right conditions to activate them and cause them to grow.

Rainwater+Algae spores+Nitrogen=Green pool!

Nitrogen is very good for leaf growth, and you generally find that plants flourish after the rain.

Garden edging

You may have a very attractive garden at the moment, and with the Summer rains having arrived, your garden will look spectacular by Christmas.

So how about adding some of those finishing touches to your garden?

Have you noticed how your flower beds sometimes tend to grow as your garden service hacks away at them with spades?

A quick an easy thing to do would be to put a concrete/paved edge around your beds. This will finish off your garden in the most spectacular manner and will prevent further growth of those beds.

There are a variety of materials that can be used to achieve an edge to your flower beds and can be done in a short space of time, depending on the size of your garden.

home, December 2005

Gift ideas for gardeners:

So the silly season is once again upon us!

Now some of you may be gardeners or may know a gardener for whom you would like to get a really special gift. Here are some ideas of some of the things I have seen at the garden centres:

A "The Gardener Almanac" (Basically a diary) for about R150. A really useful publication which is crammed with useful gardening information as well as the usual diary.

Have a look at the Keith Kirsten range of clothing and garden tools available. There is something in every price bracket.

A potted Poinsettia or red Begonia to brighten up that Christmas table.

A copy of the plant selector CD.

The good old faithful gift voucher to your favourite garden centre.

A landscape consultation by
Wayne Strydom Garden Design!

Do you have some shady spots which need a lift?

Try some of the following to brighten those shady areas:

The coleus Hybrids are spectacular at the moment, from Lime green to the darkest Burgundies!

Impatiens in all the colours of the rainbow make your shady spots look spectacular at this time of the year. Try not to mix too many colours, but choose only two or three and plant in swathes, such as Orange and shocking pink to make a really striking statement. Or, lavender and white.

Hosta's are also really pretty and provide interesting foliar colour. Just be careful of snails, as Hosta's are excellent food for them too.

Visit one of the Fuschia nurseries and look at the array of colour on offer there for shady areas.

Crocosmia, with their arching orange or red flowers are also ideal for shady pots. They also spread quite rapidly and within two seasons you will find yourself giving away potted Crocosmia to your friends.

Fertigation

As promised last month, I have been making my best attempt at testing a fertigator. I eventually found one from a company called Makhro. It was simple enough to attach to the irrigation system.

Every two weeks I will be putting a cocktail of Nitrosol and organic insecticide (if needed) and some wetting agent, into my 20L fertigator. As the water flows through to the different zones, the fertiliser is dispersed to the garden.

Since my fertigator is still new, I will keep you posted as to the growth of the garden.

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Things to do this month

The rain has arrived and fungus will be attacking your roses and other tender plants with a vengance. Spray regularly to avoid serious damage to your plants.
Snails too are out and about, especially after rain. Use snail bait regularly and then pick the snails up the following morning and dump them into a bucket of boiling water. This is to prevent the stronger ones from surviving and passing on the stronger gene to their youngsters.
Feed your lawns now with 7:1:3 and water well before and after application. Also remember to water deeply and less frequently.
Magazines this month:
   home Magazine this month has an article on 30 Gardening secrets. This makes are a really interesting and useful read. It also has plans for small gardens.
   The Gardener has an article on rock gardening.
   The South African Gardening has articles on garden features.

Are you going away in December?

Here are some useful tips to keep your garden looking good:

Move patio pots into the line of irrigation if you can, if not, put a thick layer of much on the top of the soil and move them into the shade.
You can even take your indoor plants out into the shade in the same way.

Give your lawn a good cut before you leave.

Feed your garden with 3:1:5 and water well.

And last but not least.

A blessed African Christmas to you all!
Wherever you are, drive safely and enjoy being with your loved ones.

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"Because Gardening is supposed to be fun!"

Garden edging You may have a very attractive garden at the moment, and with the Summer rains having arrived, your garden will look spectacular by Christmas. So how about adding some of those finishing touches to your garden? Have you noticed how your flower beds sometimes tend to grow as your garden service hacks away at them with spades? A quick an easy thing to do would be to put a concrete/paved edge around your beds. This will finish off your garden in the most spectacular manner and will prevent further growth of those beds. There are a variety of materials that can be used to achieve an edge to your flower beds and can be done in a short space of time, depending on the size of your garden.	home, December 2005
Gift ideas for gardeners: So the silly season is once again upon us! Now some of you may be gardeners or may know a gardener for whom you would like to get a really special gift. Here are some ideas of some of the things I have seen at the garden centres: A "The Gardener Almanac" (Basically a diary) for about R150. A really useful publication which is crammed with useful gardening information as well as the usual diary. Have a look at the Keith Kirsten range of clothing and garden tools available. There is something in every price bracket. A potted Poinsettia or red Begonia to brighten up that Christmas table. A copy of the plant selector CD. The good old faithful gift voucher to your favourite garden centre. A landscape consultation by Wayne Strydom Garden Design!	Do you have some shady spots which need a lift? Try some of the following to brighten those shady areas: The coleus Hybrids are spectacular at the moment, from Lime green to the darkest Burgundies! Impatiens in all the colours of the rainbow make your shady spots look spectacular at this time of the year. Try not to mix too many colours, but choose only two or three and plant in swathes, such as Orange and shocking pink to make a really striking statement. Or, lavender and white. Hosta's are also really pretty and provide interesting foliar colour. Just be careful of snails, as Hosta's are excellent food for them too. Visit one of the Fuschia nurseries and look at the array of colour on offer there for shady areas. Crocosmia, with their arching orange or red flowers are also ideal for shady pots. They also spread quite rapidly and within two seasons you will find yourself giving away potted Crocosmia to your friends.
Fertigation As promised last month, I have been making my best attempt at testing a fertigator. I eventually found one from a company called Makhro. It was simple enough to attach to the irrigation system. Every two weeks I will be putting a cocktail of Nitrosol and organic insecticide (if needed) and some wetting agent, into my 20L fertigator. As the water flows through to the different zones, the fertiliser is dispersed to the garden. Since my fertigator is still new, I will keep you posted as to the growth of the garden.
Things to do this month The rain has arrived and fungus will be attacking your roses and other tender plants with a vengance. Spray regularly to avoid serious damage to your plants. Snails too are out and about, especially after rain. Use snail bait regularly and then pick the snails up the following morning and dump them into a bucket of boiling water. This is to prevent the stronger ones from surviving and passing on the stronger gene to their youngsters. Feed your lawns now with 7:1:3 and water well before and after application. Also remember to water deeply and less frequently. Magazines this month: home Magazine this month has an article on 30 Gardening secrets. This makes are a really interesting and useful read. It also has plans for small gardens. The Gardener has an article on rock gardening. The South African Gardening has articles on garden features.	Are you going away in December? Here are some useful tips to keep your garden looking good: Move patio pots into the line of irrigation if you can, if not, put a thick layer of much on the top of the soil and move them into the shade. You can even take your indoor plants out into the shade in the same way. Give your lawn a good cut before you leave. Feed your garden with 3:1:5 and water well.