Wonder - Spring Gardening Guide by agro-serve

WELCOME TO YOUR SPRING GARDENING GUIDE We hope you enjoy a Wonder-full season of plant care.

CONTENTS Spring is coming PRE-SEASON GARDENING

Spring is here

For the love of spring

GARDENING PER CLIMATE ZONE

GARDENING TIPS AND TRICKS

•••

Preparing the soil Pruning Fertilising Planting and sowing

Coastal winter rainfall Summer rainfall Karoo/Highveld Coastal summer rainfall

Plant sensational summer veggies Care for your lawn Freshen garden beds Harvest’s up

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PRE-SEASON GARDENING PREPARING THE SOIL

PRUNING

How to prepare your soil for spring: Whether your garden has sandy or loamy soil, you’ll want to ensure it’s in peak condition to receive new spring-blooming plants. Here’s how you prep your soil like a pro:

Pruning promotes new growth, and increases fruiting and flowering capacity. It also allows more light to reach the plant or tree – necessary for photosynthesis. Garden beds and flower pots:

1. Odds are, the cold winter months have left your soil compact and dry. Till and turn the soil to a depth of 30cm so it’s loose and aerated. 2. Fresh leaf litter gets in the way of new growth. Add stray leaves to your compost pile. 3. Check the pH levels (between 5.5 – 7.0 is preferable).

• Keep on top of weeds to prevent major invasions in spring. Orchard: • Always remove dead and diseased wood.

4. Balance the soil with Wonder Agricultural Lime and compost.

• Trim back grapevines (especially if you are in a warmer area).

5. Smooth the soil out with a rake and finish things off with a good watering.

• Prune apple, pear and apricot trees.

Read more about soil preparation for spring chevron-right

• Prune back your plants after they have flowered.

• Avoid pruning peach, plum and almond trees in winter because the silver leaf virus might spread. (Oh no!)

The beautiful season of spring is on its way. It’s a time of rebirth and renewal. A time of growth and blossoming blooms. And a time to reignite your love of gardening!

FERTILISING

PLANTING AND SOWING

Everything green and growing needs proper nourishment to thrive. Keep your garden looking its best with these top-quality fertilisers.

Before spring even begins you can establish a large range of plants. Flowering shrubs planted now should be in beautiful bloom come summertime – and fruit and veg ripe for the picking!

Garden beds and flower pots: • Apply Wonder Fruit & Flower to established flower bulbs. • Apply a side dressing of Wonder Shake ‘N Grow Special Fertiliser to pots and planters. Vegetable garden: • Mix Wonder Organic Vita-Boost Vermicompost into vegetable garden soil so it’s ready to receive veggies in spring. Orchard: • Apply Wonder Shake ‘N Grow Special Fertiliser to container fruit trees in warmer areas. In cold areas, rather hold off on fertilising until October.

Garden beds and flower pots: Plant these gorgeous spring-loving varieties: • Plant poppies • Lupins • Aquilegias

• Hollyhocks • Larkspur • Marigolds

• Calendula • Petunias • Impatiens (in warm areas only)

Vegetable garden: Plant the following veggies: • Beans

(dwarf, runner)

• Broccoli • Cabbages • Carrots

• Cauliflowers • Celery • Chervil • Lettuces

• Leeks • Radishes • Rocket • Spinach

Orchard: • Plant deciduous fruit trees while they are still dormant. Just be sure to plant them in full sun, ideally in an area that is sheltered by the wind. • Plant raspberries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, boysenberries, blackberries and strawberries if you want to get a head-start on spring, otherwise wait a few more weeks.

GARDENING PER CLIMATE ZONE Now that spring has set in, you can focus your gardening efforts on perfecting your outdoor space, and luckily for you, we have broken down some of the best spring gardening practices below. Choose your rainfall zone and away you go!

ALL MICRO-CLIMATES When preparing your soil, regardless of micro-climate, Wonder Root Builder Bone Meal should be at the top of your fertiliser list. Your soil should be slightly moist when planting new trees, shrubs and bulbs, so if you’re in a dryer area, make sure you water it as needed.

COASTAL WINTER RAINFALL If you live in Cape Town or a neighbouring area, the best plants to invest in at this time of year are ones that need very little water and can withstand the dry heat. Think hardy, water-wise succulents, cacti, and the like. Areas with coastal winter rainfall are also ideal for white arum lilies. Divide and propagate any existing arums in your garden, and replant them on the south-facing side of your property. Arum lilies like dappled sunlight and moist soil, so keep this in mind when selecting their location. You can also plant pruned rose bushes, pansies and violas at this time of year for a vibrant splash of colour, and in the vegetable garden, you can plant beetroots, celery, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, melons, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, radishes, and tomatoes.

SUMMER RAINFALL KAROO/HIGHVELD Gauteng and nearby areas, it’s your turn. First and foremost, take a look at your begonias. Do they have frost damage? If so, use the season of spring to bring them back to life. Prune back the dead parts and then feed with Wonder Rose & Flower. Next up is the lawn. Apply a generous amount of Wonder Lawn & Leaf to your lawn and keep watering as the weather warms up. In terms of plants, now is the time to plant perennials like sweet violets, carpet geraniums, and columbines, and don’t forget the clivias! They bloom in spring and can bring a much-needed burst of colour to your garden. In the vegetable garden you can set your sights on planting asparagus. You’ll need lots of compost and patience, though, as it can take years for the initial asparagus crop to be ready for harvest. (But it’s worth it!)

COASTAL SUMMER RAINFALL KwaZulu-Natal and areas with coastal summer rainfall should see a lot of pruning in the spring months. So if this is your climate zone, make sure you use this time to prevent overgrowth by trimming back and shaping hedges, shrubs, and ornamentals. And great news – it’s the season of seedlings! Plant marigolds, begonias, dahlias, and any other seasonal beauties you fancy. And in the vegetable garden, get to work planting potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, beetroot, spinach and chillies. Read more about spring gardening per climate zone chevron-right

Wonder Lawn & Leaf 7:1:3 (15) + C (8) Reg. No. K8299 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0580, Reg. No W130553 Wonder Root Builder Bone Meal Reg. No. K9716 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0231 Wonder Rose & Flower 8:1:5 (17) + C (8) Reg. No. K8298 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0582, Reg. No W130212

Now that spring is here, there are so many wonderful activities to do in the garden. Explore our gardening tips for planting seasonal summer veggies, growing berries, and caring for your lawn. Discover Wonder Kelp – protector of the spring garden. And get ready for a bountiful spring harvest.

There are loads of vegetable seeds that you can plant in spring for a summer harvest. But if you’re wanting optimal growth, you should only plant the ones that thrive in your climate zone. Let’s explore three of spring’s finest veggies together.

HOW TO PLANT: BEETROOT

HOW TO PLANT: ASPARAGUS

If you live in an area with coastal winter rainfall, the humble beetroot is an excellent vegetable to plant in spring. And it takes only three months to grow! Follow these steps for a successful planting process:

For those living in summer rainfall areas like the Karoo and Highveld, the asparagus is a suitable vegetable to plant in spring. Even though it takes a year or more for the crop to be ready for harvest, it is well worth the wait. Follow these steps for a successful planting process:

1. Find a sunny spot in your vegetable garden. 2. Loosen the soil with a garden fork or shovel. 3. Prepare the soil Wonder Vita-Boost Organic Vermicompost. 4. Correct the pH levels in the soil by using Wonder Agricultural Lime. 5. Dig a furrow about 20cm deep and 20cm wide. 6. Before planting, mix Wonder Plant Starter All Purpose into the surface layer of soil. 7. Plant asparagus crowns 45cm apart from one another, ensuring the buds are facing upwards. 8. Cover crowns with 5cm of soil to start off with, and water well. 9. As the spears grow, continue to water and top up with 5cm of soil until the furrow is full. 10. Lastly, mix Wonder Fruit & Flower into the surface layer of soil, and apply mulch.

Wonder Organic Vita-Boost Vermicompost Reg. No. B5695 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F1705 Wonder Fruit & Flower 3:1:5 (26) Reg. No. K5747 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0014, Reg. No. W13021 Wonder Plant Starter All Purpose 2:3:2 (14) + C (8) Reg. No. K8301 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0588, Reg. No W130552

PLANT SENSATIONAL SUMMER VEGGIES HOW TO PLANT: POTATOES

1. Find a sunny spot in your vegetable garden.

Coastal summer rainfall areas like KwaZuluNatal have the perfect spring climate for planting potatoes. If you choose to plant spuds during this time, you can expect a ripe crop within three months!

2. Loosen the soil with a garden fork or shovel. 3. Prepare the soil Wonder Vita-Boost Organic Vermicompost. 4. Correct the pH levels in the soil by using Wonder Agricultural Lime.

5. Before planting, mix Wonder Plant Starter All Purpose into the surface layer of soil. 6. Dig a furrow about 5cm deep, and plant the seed potatoes about 30cm apart. 7. Cover seeds with soil so the furrow is levelled out and a small ridge forms on top. 8. Water regularly. Read more about growing spring vegetables chevron-right

Wonder Organic Vita-Boost Vermicompost Reg. No. B5695 Act No. 36 of 1947 Wonder Agricultural Lime Reg. No. B3059 N-F0022 W130224 Act No. 36 of 1947

HAVE A BERRY BONANZA Spring loves berries! Strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, boysenberries, and blackberries are welcome in spring soils. Plant seeds and shrubs in garden beds or containers, and remember to add Wonder Plant Starter All Purpose prior to planting for a bio-carbon boost.

Blueberries are a berry highlight in the spring garden. Follow these steps and plant your shrubs like a pro. HOW TO PLANT: BLUEBERRY BUSHES IN THE GARDEN 1. Find a sunny spot in your garden or home orchard. 2. Using a gardening shovel or trowel, dig holes 50cm deep, leaving about one meter between each one for healthy plant growth. 3. Place a blueberry bush in each hole, making sure the roots have plenty of space inside. 4. Fill the remaining area with soil and add mulch to help it retain moisture. HOW TO PLANT: BLUEBERRY BUSHES IN CONTAINERS 1. Find a container that’s at least 50cm deep and 50cm wide, with drainage holes. 2. Fill the container with quality potting soil. 3. With a gardening trowel, dig a hole twice as deep as your blueberry bush’s roots. 4. Plant the shrub inside with the roots spread out, and cover the empty space with soil. 5. Place the container in a sunny area that is out of the wind. Read more about growing blueberries chevron-right 11

CARE FOR YOUR LAWN September is the most important month for feeding lawns. Maintain your spring lawn with Wonder Lawn and Leaf, a fast-greening, nitrogen-rich fertiliser. And if you’re planting lawn seed, follow the steps below for gorgeous green pastures. HOW TO PLANT: A NEW LAWN 1. Clear the area and prepare the soil with Wonder Root Builder Bone Meal or Wonder Super Phosphate, mixing thoroughly. 2. Sow the grass seed. One 30-gram packet of the seed should cover 10 square metres. 3. Water the seed well, ideally in the morning when there is less evaporation. 4. Aerate your field with a garden fork and then feed with Wonder Lawn and Leaf. 5. Mow regularly at a high setting – preferably between 3 and 5cm. Read more about growing a lawn chevron-right Wonder Super Phosphate + C (8) Reg. No. B4048 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0585, Reg. No W130565 Wonder Root Builder Bone Meal Reg. No. K9716 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0231 Wonder Lawn & Leaf 7:1:3 (15) + C (8) Reg. No. K8299 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-F0580, Reg. No W130553

Freshen garden beds with WONDER KELP Wonder Kelp is your spring-gardening champion! Made of sustainably harvested Ecklonia maxima seaweed, this organic plant tonic provides a natural solution to garden nourishment. Just one application of Wonder Kelp every two weeks helps flower beds, vegetable gardens and fruit trees counteract and recover from periods of stress.

Wonder Kelp Reg. No. L2812 Act No. 36 of 1947, N-AR0925, Reg. No W130223

It’s time to reap the fruits of your labours! Head outside and harvest the following ripe fruits and vegetables: • Avocados • Broccoli • Cabbages • Cauliflowers • Celery • Kale • Kumquats • Leeks • Lemons

• Lettuces • Limes • Mandarins • Parsnips • Persimmons • Rocket • Swiss chard • Spinach • Spring onions

REACH OUT TO WONDER We hope our Spring Gardening Guide has been helpful! If you have a question related to spring gardening that we haven’t quite answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Available at a wide selection of retailers, nurseries and garden centres. Download the Green Fingers app