Gardening in August

Our favourite garden experts from Starke Ayres, West Coast Village give some advice on gardening in the month of August.

Feed nutrient deficient lemon trees (yellowing of the leaf) with Magnesium Sulphate and Trelmix. Lemon trees should be fed quarterly with a slow release organic fertilizer high in nitrogen such as Talborne 6:3:4 pellets. Talborne Organics Vita Veg 6:3:4(16) organic fertilizer contains all the nutrients required for healthy homegrown edibles and is Certified Organic by the Organic Food Federation of the UK, for strictest human and environmental safety standards. Talborne fertilisers are on promotion for the month of August, so do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity to stock up for the season. Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants = Healthy People.

August is the last chance to spray roses with Lime Sulphur (1:10 ratio) before spring leaves bursts. Spraying timeously will reduce any disease or fungal outbreak. Apply Lime Sulphur on a cloudy day or do it early in the morning before the sun strikes the Roses. Application of Lime Sulphur on a very hot sunny day may result in the burning of foliage.

There’s no denying that fresh Strawberries are a popular fruit, but they also pack a healthy punch. Nutrient-rich and packed with anti-oxidants (like vitamin C), strawberries offer a wide range of health benefits, some of which may surprise you. (Wrinkle-prevention? Yes please!). Our first strawberries have arrived and are already in full bloom and some are even in fruit.

Prepare beds for spring planting – add lots of Compost and Gold Dust, to enrich and retain moisture in the soil. Spread the compost further. Make use of this month’s special offer on Red Tractor 15 dm Compost @ R11,95.

Control broadleaf weeds in lawns emerging in spring with Makhro Home & Garden MCPA or Super Lawnweeder and for those paved driveways, Glyphogan. Lawntyl is a pre-and post-emergence herbicide for the control of winter grass and some broadleaves as listed in
established Kikuyu, Indigenous Cynodon and Buffalo grass. The application of these should be done on windless days and preferably in the late morning or early afternoon.

Start sowing summer seeds early in seed trays and choose varieties such as Patty Pans, Butternut, Cucumber, Beans, Brinjal, Baby Squash, Chillies and Sweet Basil and germinate them in protected areas.

ON PROMOTION – Lavendula stoechas – Their fragrance and range of flower colours, from lilac to deep purple, pink and white, make lavender irresistible to most gardeners, while many pesky insects, including aphids, are repelled by the aromatic perfume that characterises these plants, its insect-repelling ability means that Lavender is a perfect companion for ‘juicier’ plants, such as vegetables, herbs and roses.

Green is the colour of life and it is also is the sign of energy and renewal. Green is also associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility and the environment. Indoor plants such as the Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and Delicious Monster (Monstera Deliciosa) are the most popular plants due to their high air purifying abilities.

Starke Ayres, West Coast Village
Tel: 021 554 8450

16 August 2017
FREE TALK
LAWNS & FERTILISERS
West Coast Village Only
10AM – 11AM