Gardening in September, hints and tips

Spring Is in the air, we have just received “Chinese Jasmine” Jasminum polyanthum plants in full bloom, a sure sign that summer is on its way. The first batch of summer flowering bulbs have arrived and are in transit to our stores.

Plant Gladioli, summer Arums and Amaryllis in a pot or in the garden for a splash of colour and bragging rights with your friends. Please remember snail bait pellets or liquid Snail spray particularly on your Amaryllis. Our 1st Petunias are on their way with the first batch having already arrived, but it’s not too late to pop some Pansies into semi shaded spots for extended Pansy colour right through summer and for an edible treat in salads or edible garnish.

Arbor week is celebrated annually during the first week of September to promote a better knowledge of trees and their importance in our environment. Starke Ayres will be celebrating a whole Arbor Month by promoting the prehistoric Ginkgo biloba and the super-productive Eureka lemon trees, while stocks last. Ginkgo biloba, with its maidenhair-like leaves and golden autumn foliage is a perfect feature tree for containers and small gardens. It dates back to prehistoric times and the medicinal properties are well known in China. They tolerate pollution and salt making it perfect for the urban environment. We have received stock of this hard-to-find plant and will be offering it as a special for the month of September.

This summer we will have dedicated display areas of the plants that will attract birds, bees and butterflies. Be sure to visit them out for some inspiration. Encourage biodiversity in the urban landscape by planting a wide range of indigenous and exotic plants that provide nectar, seed and pollen. If the thought of hundreds of caterpillars chomping their way through your garden fills you with horror, have no fear – the plentiful birds, frogs and lizards visiting will soon bring that under control. Provide water by placing bird baths and small dishes of water for the birds and insects to replenish during the heat of the day. We love wildlife in our Garden Centres and stock a wide range of bird feeders and bird food to help attract wild life.

Rodney our well-loved garden centre gnome is back from his holidays and will be spending this summer in his refurbed home at our Rosebank Garden Centre over selected weekdays and weekends. He is not always easy to find but enterprising children can hunt for him on a Saturday or a Sunday and win themselves a Starke Ayres gift voucher when they do find him giving mum and dad a little personal time for that well-earned cup of coffee at Fraiche Ayres Restaurant.

Starke Ayres are the only garden centre in Cape Town to stock a range of Epiphyllum cacti. Each named plant is accompanied by a picture label of the stunning flower with detailed care instructions. The delicately scented blooms borne on many of the long pendulous leaf blades, are only open for a short time but the plants produce flowers through spring and summer and are the ultimate gift for a gardener who has everything.

Spring means it is possible to grow medicinal Cannabis outdoors. Choose an area with good light and wind free conditions. Many gardens have very sandy soil so in these cases it is easier to grow in containers. Our wide range of excellent specialist soils are specially formulated to encourage development of the best buds. We stock all the right additives Organic or chemical to keep your plants healthy and productive. Our specialist soils are not only for Cannabis but will produce fabulous garden plants and in particular for Vegetable production or struggling plants.

During September we will be offering specially marked Décor and Homeware in a spring end of range sale. Look out for the special stickers. Stock is limited and the selection will be changing regularly.