Gardening in April

Not sure what to do this April in the garden? Here are a few handy suggestins to get you on your way from the experts at Starke Ayres.

• NEW !!! Vermigro.  Wurmbosch Vermicast is a 100 % organic plant food. Vermigro is produced from green garden waste material that earthworms, through their unique digestive system have converted into castings rich in 
micro-organisms. Vermigro can be applied to seedlings, bulbs, pot plants, roses, shrubs, fruit trees, lawns and trees. Vermigro is odourless and will not burn your plants. 

• Plant winter bulbs from April to May for a Spring show. From the fragrant Freesias to the ever showy Daffodils, Ranunculus, Dutch Iris and Anemone. Bulbs are available now.

• Now is the ideal time for planting some winter veggies like broccoli, peas, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, onions and turnips. While germinating, seeds require both oxygen and water to sprout. This means that your growing medium must provide a sufficient amount of both to the seed or it will not germinate. Porous mediums such as Palmpeat, Perlite, Rockwool, or Vermiculite will do this along with having great drainage capabilities.

• Philodendron “The perfect indoor evergreen “. For generations, Philodendrons have served as a mainstay in interior gardens. Philodendron care is easy, because if you watch for the signals, the plant will tell you exactly what it needs. Philodendron houseplants thrive indoors year-round without complaint. Foliage plants can be fed with Starke Ayres Nutrisol, a liquid formulation of macro nutrients for healthy plant growth of all indoor and outdoor plants. Nutrisol is easy to apply, as a foliar feed or directly to the roots as a soil drench.

• Feed citrus trees with Magnesium Sulphate and a healthy dose of Talborne 3:1:5. Signs of the leaves turning yellow is normally diagnosed as a lack of Micro-elements. Apply Trelmix either as a foliar feed or soil drench to plants to correct the imbalance.  

• It’s a great time to refresh your hanging baskets to cheer up your winter patio by planting your favourite Pansy or Viola.  Apply Starke Ayres Plantfood 3 :1:6 (46) or Nutristix to ensure maximum blooms. Succulent enthusiasts can also experiment by planting up waterwise hanging baskets. 

• Start reviving your lawn by removing all dead leaves and applying a thin layer of Lawn Dressing. Plan for those moments when we get that occasional rain and have your organic 2:3:2 ready. Feeding before winter will strengthen the roots and will promote root growth during autumn.  

• Plant cool season grass seeds such as Shady Mix, Wintergreen and 4 Seasons to cover bare patches before winter sets in. Prepare areas with Starke Ayres Bonemeal, Golddust, Stockosorb, Superphosphate or a fertilizer high in Phosphate to promote root development. For established lawn, apply Talborne Organics 3:1:5 or a chemical alternative as a last application before Winter.

Starke Ayres, West Coast Village


Tel: 021 554 8450