Gardening in November

November is a month of warm days, balmy evenings and late sunsets. Summer sundowners on the patio or under the trees are made more idyllic with the trickle of running water, which will also screen the background noise from the street. Consult a salesperson for assistance when choosing an appropriately sized pump for the volume of water you would like to move to create the sound of a water wonderland. A selection of water plants and plants suited for the edges of ponds and streams will round off the experience.

Hydrangeas are an important part of the summer garden. Prepare them for a Christmas display now. Plant them in morning sun and afternoon shade, with good well drained soil and ample water. Maintain the colour of the blue varieties by applying Starke Ayres Acid Plant Food on a regular basis. Mix Acidic Peat and Hydro Cache into the soil when planting to assist with pH and water retention. Mulch with wood chip mulch after planting.

Just when you thought pruning season was over there’s more pruning to do. Shrubs and climbers that flower once a year in spring or on the previous season’s wood can be pruned as soon as they have finished flowering. Examples are Spiraea cantoniensis, Weigelia florida, Jasminum polyanthum, Banksia rose, Dog rose, Albertine rose. As your Proteas, Leucadendrons and Leucospermums seasonal flowers end, prune back each flowering stem to a 5cm long bearer in the current year’s growth. If a stem has not flowered, leave it as it will most likely produce a flower in the next flowering season. King Proteas are an exception to the rule, where the flowering stem is pruned right above the start of the current year’s growth flush. Mulch your Proteacea to keep the roots cool during summer.

Be on the outlook for lawn caterpillar as this is the start of their active period when the larvae eat the roots of your grass in the day and come out at night to eat the young and tender growth tips . Look out for dead patches in the lawn. Consult with our staff for the correct solution by applying the correct insecticide late afternoon to ensure the most effective control overnight while all are indoors. If your lawn is not well covered and leaves are sparse apply a well balanced Lawn Fertilizer that promotes establishment of not only foliage but healthy roots like Atlantic Bioganic Lawn, Wonder 7.1.3, LAN or Culterra Lawn Booster 715 with Micro nutrients which we use on our own roadside verge at Rosebank GC

Summer bulbs are available for planting now. Dahlia, Gladioli and Amaryllis.
Brinjals enjoy being planted with oregano, marjoram, thyme, sweet basil and rosemary. Remember to plant another batch of vegetables to ensure when the current are harvested the new fresh succulent are in line to saving you some money at the grocery store, the worst that could happen is you have a few extra to give to a neighbour a friend or a needy person.