GardenTalk Autumn 2014

®

GARDENSHOP’S MAGAZINE

Autumn 2014

Dazzling NEW

garden gems

Grow

Autumn Treasures!

Indoor jewels

Precious treats for birds

Contacting us

Grow

Contact us on 0861 G-A-R-D-E-N (427336)

Autumn Treasures!

Queries:

To­provide­you­with­excellen­t­servic­e,­ we­have­a­team­of­dedicate­d­and­ passionate gardening experts and there­are­several­ways­of­directing­ your gardening queries to us: Online: gardenshop.co.za

Call 0861 G-A-R-D-E-N (427336)

Email us on info@gardenshop.co.za Connect with GardenShop! Daily gardening­posts,­updates­on­new­ plants, trending gardening ideas and seasonal pictures from our garden centres.

GardenShopSA

As the seasons change so do gardening styles and trends. For us­in­the­gardening­industry­it­is­exciting­to­see­these­changes!­ The trends are never extreme – just an extension of creativity and cementing­the­age-old­love­we­are­all­share­for­gardening­and­ plants.­Gardening­will­always­be­an­incredibly­relaxing­hobby­and­no­wonder­more­and­ more people are digging into gardening and becoming more eco-conscious.

Autumn is a treasure trove of introducing gorgeous indoor colour into the home, bringing light and sparkle to herb gardens and contrasting foliage shrubs to give glint and highlights to areas that need lifting and enhancing. This Autumn, GardenShop is delighted to introduce­many­new­dazzling­garden­gems­to­your­garden.

Cooler­weather­means­we­need­to­continue­to­provide­precious­treats­for­birds,­ GardenShop’s­range­of­exclusive­imported­bird­feeders­are­well­suited­to­our­climate­and­ our­birds­will­clamour­in­excitement­to­supplement­their­daily­diet.

Grow­Autumn­Treasures!­

Editor: Deborah Hele

e-mail: deborah@gardenshop.co.za

Happy Gardening.

Publisher & Ad Sales: First Wave Media cc e-mail:­gardentalk@fi­rstwavemedia.co.za

featured GardenShop Tel: 011 516 9700 Fax: 011 516 9701 PO Box 70966, Bryanston, 2021

Your garden in Autumn A treasure chest of valuable hints, tips and ideas All­a­twitter!­Fantastic feeds for our feathered friends Dazzling gems for 2014 Discover some of this year’s most precious and beautiful garden blooms

GardenShop proudly supports BirdLife South Africa. birdlife.org.za Giving Conservation Wings.

Scentsational­Sweet­Peas Enchanting fi­nds­for­fragrant­gardens

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Your garden in Autumn

Conditions are just perfect for dividing, planting, fertilising and trimming. Here are some great­tips­to­keep­you­busy­and­to­help­get­your­hands­dirty­this­coming­Autumn!

Flowers • Remove summer annuals that are faded and replace with Pansies, Primulas, Stocks, Calendulas and Petunias for lovely Winter colour.

• Sow hardy flower seeds like Primulas, Sweet Peas, Stocks, Namaqualand Daisies, Delphininiums, Gazania and Iceland Poppies.

• Continue spraying your Roses with an organic insecticide on a fortnightly basis to prevent both fungal and disease attacks.

• Continue to prune your Roses lightly, remove dead and diseased wood at the same time. This will encourage flowering until winter.

Bulbs • When the ground has cooled down it is time to plant Spring flower bulbs Hyacinths, Daffodils, Ixias, Sparaxis, Anemones, Ranunculus, Waterblommetjies and Leucojums.

• Indoor bulbs such as prepared Hyacinths can also be planted now.

Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit • Plant fruit bearing berry bushes/vines such as Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries.

• Plant vegetable seedlings. We recommend Cabbage, Spinach, Beetroot, Cauliflower and leafy greens like Pak Choi, Tatsou, Mizuna and Chinese Cabbage.

• Sow vegetable seeds. Broad beans, Broccoli, Beetroot, Swiss chard, Carrot, Cabbage and Leeks are ideal.

• Plant Winter culinary herbs. Thyme, Oreganum, Chervil, Parsley and Sage are best.

• Cut and dry herbs for use in the Winter.

• Citrus trees can be fed with 2kg of Rose Food and 75g of Magnesium Sulphate (Epson Salts).

• Continue to take precautions against slugs and snails.

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Ponds • Continue to feed pond fish.

• Check filters on pumps to ensure that they are not blocked.

• Remove any plant material that has fallen into the pond to prevent the build-up of disease.

• Net the pond to prevent leaves falling in to it.

Lawns • An ideal time to create a new lawn using seed or grass.

• Continue fertilising your lawn with Vitaliser Lawn and Leaf, Vita-Lawn 5:1:5 or Neutrog’s Blade Runner.

General tasks • Start feeding the birds – hang up some feeders with a variety of seeds and suet balls to attract different birds to your garden. (See page 8 for great bird feed ideas).

• Clear up any fallen leaves and other dead plant material to prevent diseases over wintering.

• Plant new shrubs and trees to ensure a good start in Spring, as roots will have time to establish through the Winter months.

• Divide and split perennials and groundcovers like Agapanthus, Dietes, Red-hot Pokers, Ornamental grasses, Day Lilies, Alstromerias and Asters.

• Transplant plants that are in the wrong positions in Autumn so that they have time to settle in during the Winter months.

• Prune back and clean out hedges.

• Mulch your beds with lawn clippings, fallen leaves and bark chips to prevent loss of moisture.

• Start your own compost heap.

• Or alternatively start your own wormery to create the best garden compost you will ever lay your hands on. It is easy and effectively takes care of your organic kitchen waste like vegetable and fruit peelings, stale bread, coffee grindings, tea bags, leftover cooked rice and pasta.

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There are loads of reasons for gardeners to enjoy Autum­n. For a start, the milder weather makes working in the garden a pleasure. The plants love it too, flower colours are deeper and richer, and growth is better than in midsummer, especially after a light trim.

Best of all, you need no excuse to pull out tired looking Summer annuals. Thank goodness for the change in seasons. It’s a chance to plant something new and there is certainly plenty on offer if you are looking for Autumn colour.

AUTUMN TIPS • Always enrich the soil with compost before planting.

This aids drainage and replaces nutrients used up in the previous season.

• Water regularly until the plants have settled in, then reduce watering to once a week.

• Feed plants with a liquid fertiliser at least once a month.

This boosts flowering.

Treasure chest of Autumn colour Bacopa Scopia is a vigorous, trailing groundcover that also works well in containers and hanging baskets. Its large, pink, violet or white flowers glow against the bright green leaves.

Nemesia has small, Snapdragonshaped fragrant flowers in shades of pink, deep purple, and white. Mass it behind Diascia, being taller (20cm) and more upright. It grows best in moist, fertile soil that drains well.

Felicia Amelloides (Kingfisher Daisy) grows into a small, compact shrub, 50 cm high and wide.

It produces masses of blue or white daisy-like flowers with yellow centres.

There is a variegated version, with green and yellow leaves.

Diascia ‘Genta’ has larger than normal pink flowers with rosy throats.

Plants are bushy and compact, excellent for borders.

Gazania varieties are available in almost every colour under the sun; bronze, gold, yellow, red, orange, tiger stripes, pink and cream. Try the vibrant New Day Mix of red, orange and yellow flowering Gazanias.

There are also “Frosty” Gazanias with silvery-grey leaves.

Don’t forget about … Salvia Farinacea (“Rhea”) that flower all year round, Verbena “Tuscany” that performs best in cool weather, versatile Cuphea “Cocktail” as a border, pot plant or small clipped hedge and the new Quick Mix varieties.

What about indigenous?

It is no secret that South Africa has lovely Autumn flowering wildflowers. Most can be grown as garden flowers with very little pampering.

If planted now they will flower, then settle in over Winter and be the first to flower again in Spring.

Visit www.coveritt.co.za for more colourful ideas!

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All a twitter!

Bring­your­Autumn­garden­to­life­by­attracting­a­fl­ock­of­birds.

When­the­days­become­cooler­and­we­move­slowly­into­Autumn­it­can­ prove­to­be­a­diffi­cult­time­for­birds­to­keep­up­with­the­diminishing­ stocks­of­seeds­and­berries.­However,­this­is­the­perfect­time­for­us­to­ supplement­their­food­with­the­correct­types­of­foods­and­feeders.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!

Watching­which­birds­visit­your­garden­will­ give­you­a­good­idea­on­what­type­of­bird­ feeder and feeding stations to put out. At GardenShop­we­have­a­wide­range­of­bird­ feeders­that­will­cover­many­different­types­ of­birds­that­will­frequent­your­garden.­Suet­ treats and mixed seeds can be scattered on a bird table and the ground.

• Bird feeder should be taken down regularly to be cleaned.

• Provide fresh, clean water for your visiting birds.

Look­after­your­garden­birds­and­they­will­ bring you many hours of enjoyment and entertainment.

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GardenSh op Suet Ca kes, high p treat for w rotein ild birds. 18 0g and 700 g Value Pack s.

Gardman Water Drinker GardenShop proudly supports

Gardman Flip Top Suet Feast Feeder

The indigenous and ever-popular Plectranthus Chimanimanensis — more commonly known as ‘Cheeky Chemenii’ – is now available from GardenShop! It is an evergreen shrub reaching 80cm to 1m in height and is a special treasure to grow in your garden. Its delicate small green leaves are plentiful and support a mass of flower spikes that start to bloom from Spring and reach their peak colour display during Autumn and early Winter. From a distance, the plants/flowers present a beautiful, consistent and striking pink haze!

Pink Jewels

Bring this little gem into your garden this season

The individual flowers - carried on flower spires ensuring flower to foliage ratio is particularly high - are soft pink in colour, with darker buds opening into delicate soft pink wings with a white lip. They perform well in both sun or semi-shade positions and require well-composted soil. These plants are shallow-rooted and need adequate watering, however once established they can withstand periods of drought.

‘Cheeky Chemenii’ is frost-tender but if grown under trees are afforded some frost protection. Frost protection measures are advised during their first winter. In their second season the plants will be much stronger. They require low maintenance and have no specific pest control measures. To maintain a neat shape and lush foliage, prune after each flowering period.

Visit www.elands.co.za

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Agapanthus Amethyst (above). Bushy indigenous perennial plant. Soft, lilac coloured flowers with a darker, amethyst-coloured stripe running down the centre of each petal.

The jewel-coloured flowers are ideal as cut flowers and when planted in big landscapes en masse will make for a spectacular sight during the summer months. They are very easy to grow and will withstand bouts of frost and cold. Ideal to plant to attract a host of butterflies and birds.

The bulb and the beautiful!

GardenShop boasts a spectacular range of Autumn-planting bulbs guaranteed to add sparkle and delight to your Spring-flowering garden. Planting bulbs in cool, saturated and well composted soils now, will open up a treasur­e chest of sensational colour in Spring! And to make your bulb choosing and planting easier, Garden­Shop has packaged together different colour bulbs to allow for special colour combinations to suit every style of garden – a real gem of an Autumn find!

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Dazzling Gems for 2014

Fruit Tree Jewels Plums, Pomegranates, Apples, Apricots and Olives are this­season’s­favourite­fruit­treasures!

Thyme Silver Posie (below­left).

The daintiest of all Thymes, smothered in stunning clusters­­of­lavender­fl­owers­with­pink­overtones­at­the­ ends of the stems from early to mid-Summer. Its highly attractive tiny fragrant leaves remain greyish-green in colour­with­distinctive­white­edges­throughout­the­year.­ Plant­in­full­sun­and­ideally­amongst­fl­agstones­to­create­ a­beautifu­l­fragrant­walkway.

Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Summer Sunset’ (below,­top).­A­newly­released­plant­in­South­Africa.­ The leaves are marbled in endless hues of oranges, reds, greens­and­white.­It­is­a­worthwhile­addition­to­the­gard­e­n­ and­will­trail­up­wooden­or­metal­frameworks.­Look­out­ for this fabulous shrub to truly inspire visual senses.

Euphorbia Diamond Frost (below,­bottom).

Heat­and­drought­tolerant­plant­with­clouds­of­airy­white­ fl­owers­all­season.

This season, GardenShop opens a treasure chest of beautiful and magical plants to make your garden­sparkle!

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Scentsational Sweet Peas This­easy­growing,­attractive­plant­grew­in­popularity­ and today many varieties are available. Not only is the Sweet­Pea­blessed­with­a­delightful­fragrance,­but­it­ also­makes­an­excellent­long-lasting­cut­fl­ower.

Recently­Kirchhoff’s­has­introduced­the­new­Heirloom­ range­of­Sweet­Peas.­These­varieties­echo­the­history­ of­the­humble­origins­of­the­Sweet­Pea.­The­‘Old­Spice­ Heirloom varieties’ are prized for their exceptional fragrance,­heat­tolerance­and­cut­fl­ower­qualities.

The Kirchhoff’s Heirloom range includes: • ‘Cupani’ - the variety first discovered

by Francisco Cupani near his monastery.

• ‘Senator’- These flowers have a chocolate maroon flake standard and purple flake wings.

• ‘Miss Wilmot’ – Introduced in 1901 features deep • ‘Painted Lady’ – This variety was first planted in 1737 has seduced gardeners ever since with salmon-pink flowers. its heady fragrance and fanciful white and rose • ‘Mrs Collier’- A highly scented cream coloured bicolour blooms. flower introduced in 1907.

• ‘Butterfl y’ – Beautiful mauve and white blooms • ‘King Edward’- Petals of the deepest royal tinged with lavender make this 1887 introduction crimson, honouring Queen Victoria’s son. a standout.

• ‘America’‘America Ivory blossoms striped with • ‘Queen of the Isles’ – an 1885 introduction with crimson-red. distinctive white and red striped flowers.

For best results with Sweet Peas, soak­the­seeds­overnight­in­water.­Plant­in­a­sunny­position­in­soil­ prepared­with­compost­and­3:1:5:­fertilizer.­Seeds­should­be­inserted­about­2cm­below­the­surface­of­ the­soil.­Safeguard­young­seedling­from­hungry­birds­with­a­protective­cover.­For­optimum­blooms­feed­ plants­every­2­weeks­with­Multifeed­Flowergro.­ Remember­–­the­more­fl­owers­you­pick­from­the­plants­the­more­fl­owers­it­will­yield.

May­these­seductive­fl­owers­germinate­in­your­heart­and­grow­into­a­life-long­love­affair.

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GardenShop Parktown

A green lung situated in the heart of Parktown North, this GardenShop branch offers you a little piece of heaven and tranquility where you are able to experience garden shopping at its absolute best. A wide range of gardening essentials, tools, accessories are available amongst the large collection of healthy indoor and outdoor plants, trees, garden furniture and stunning home decor. The best Florist in town, Bunches Flowers will simply take your breath away with their gorgeous array of fresh contemporary flower arrangements and relax with a cup of tea and choice of fabulous food at Munch.

Cnr Jan Smuts & Bolton Roads Physical Address Rosebank Johannesburg Gauteng

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Telephone Number

011 447 2368

Fax Number

011 880 1640

Business Hours

08:00 – 17:00 Seven days per week

Co-ordinates

26° 08° 55° S/28° 08° 03° E

10 tips for growing organic vegetables 1. Vegetables are sun lovers - choose a spot in the garden that gets full sun all day for best results.

2. Vegetables are seasonal – select vegetable varieties according to season and climate of the area you live in. Most seed packets detail prime planting periods per variety.

3. Plan staged planting to ensure variety and continuous kitchen supply – plant a few seeds of each variety every week to ensure harvests over the full season.

4. Prepare beds and dig in compost before buying seedlings – seedlings lose vigour and health if they stay unplanted for a period out of the ideal conditions of nursery care.

5. Old seeds expire – to ensure successful germination purchase fresh seeds each season.

6. Plant edibles the family likes – there are a lovely variety of novel, tasty, and colourful vegetables to choose from, but if your family does not eat ‘frilly kale’ do not plant it.

7. For success fertilise vegetables according to variety: • Root and bulb vegetables need good phosphates to develop strong roots and bulbs so plant with Talborne Vita Grow 2:3:2(16) Visual: Jane’s Delicious Garden

Gourmet treasures from your Garden White brinjals with violet trimming, scarlet and green

chillies, and a palette of green and brown crunchy salad leaves. These are jewels that delight the passionate gardener! Besides their stunning beauty, they promise a

• Leafy vegetables need nitrogen and potassium for green growth so feed with Talborne Vita Veg 6:3:4(16) • Fruiting vegetables need nitrogen and more potassium to stimulate flower and fruit so plant with Talborne Vita Grow 2:3:2(16) and feed before flowering with Talborne Vita Fruit & Flower 3:1:5(18) 8. Water vegetables regularly – in dry, warm weather water at least 3 times per week -preferably in the morning to protect against the day’s heat.

9. Mulch vegetable beds after seeds germinate – to prevent weed growth, retain soil moisture; maintain a constant soil temperature.

The best news is they – and other ‘Super foods’ – spices,

10. Do not spray poisons on vegetables – the Biogrow range of nontoxic organic pest and disease solutions stocked by GardenShop are gentle on nature and effective without using poisons on food.

herbs, berries, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits - can all

Freshly picked health has never been this easy!

profusion of flavor and goodness when freshly harvested.

be homegrown in your organic Autumn garden!

Visit www.talborne.co.za for more healthy growing tips

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Autumn herbs

From salads to soups

If you love tender, leafy greens, this is the time to plant them.

Tangy Asian greens like Mizuna, Tatsoi, Pak Choi, and Giant Red Mustard are a real treat. They add a zing to soups,­stir­fries­and­even­salads­right­through­winter.

What’s nice about Asian greens is that the leaves can be individually­harvested­and­with­regular­feeding­they­will­ keep­on­producing­new­leaves.­All­they­need­is­full­sun,­ fertile,­well­composted­soil,­plenty­of­water.­ For salad munchers there is the Multi-leaf lettuce that is one of the best perpetual lettuces. The mix of red and green­leaves­with­frilly­edges­adds­colour­and­texture­to­ the­salad­bowl.

Lettuce­needs­soil­that­drains­well­but­it­should­not­dry­out­ completely because drought stressed Lettuce develops a bitter taste.

Other greens that prefer Autumn’s milder temperatures are Rocket and Coriander. Rocket has a lovely peppery fl­avour­while­Coriander,­also­known­as­Cilantro,­is­a­ popular ingredient in Thai cooking.

Regular­picking­encourages­new­leaves.­Feeding­with­a­ liquid­fertiliser­twice­a­month­will­encourage­healthy­new­ leaves.­Remove­any­fl­owers;­this­prevents­the­herbs­going­ to seed.

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Herbs for soups and stews

It­is­a­good­idea­to­think­ahead­to­winter­and­stock­up on­herbs­for­fl­avouring­soups­and­stews.

• The most commonly used herbs are Chives, Thyme, Origanum, Lovage and Parsley. They are all perennials that will go through Winter, although growth will slow down.

• For that reason, consider stocking up on extra plants to ensure a regular supply of fresh herbs during the coldest months. Why not plant your ‘extras’ in pots, which makes it easy to move them into a sheltered sunny area when the frost arrives.

• Pruning Thyme and Origanum will encourage new growth.

What you can’t use can be dried and stored or even spread around your veggies as an insect repelling mulch.

Boost the growth of Parsley, Lovage and Chives with an application of liquid fertiliser like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger.

For more information on the herbs in this article visit Healthy Living Herbs, www.healthyliving-herbs.co.za.

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Creative Container Gardening

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Whether­it­be­indoor­or­outdoor­(or­both!)­container­gardening­that­enthrals­you,­ GardenShop’­s­magnifi­cent­range­of­European­and­Asian­imported­pots­–­from­countrie­s­ including Italy, Germany, Thailand and Malaysia – are a sight to behold. Whether your pench­ant­is­for­terracotta­or­a­glazed­fi­nish,­square-shaped,­round,­rectangular­or­ something truly unique, the selection affords you gardening creativity second-to-none: from simple to elaborate, the possibilities are limitless.Their versatility in adding instant colour – whether­you­choose­individual­plants,­mix-and-match­varietie­s­even­vegetables­and­herbs­­ – means you can adapt your interior or exterior colourscape as seasons change too.

And of course they provide bold focal points in your garden and add to the design and architecture­of­your­home.­Let­your­imagination­sparkle!

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Patios of Perfection Superior Sunrooms Walkways Atriums Conservatories

A garden for all seasons!

See your garden in a new light by turning your patio into a superior sunroom. Creating your own special sunspace and room with a view has never been easier!

Pool enclosures Commercial skylights

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For a quotation: Tel: 011 640 5016 • 082 448 1101 email: skylitedesign@telkomsa.net online: www.skylitedesign.wix.com/skylites