Winter is the time to prepare for Spring’s new growth

Winter is the time to

prepare for Spring’s new growth

Winter is a good time to inject new life into your garden – trimming and clearing to allow more light in; weeding, feeding and treating the soil to boost new Spring growth; and planting or transplanting ground covers, bulbous plants and ferns for a wonderfully lush look in spring, says our knowledgeable gardening expert, Erina Botha (sales@dreamscapes-ct.co.za)

Erina Botha

In sunny South Africa, most gardens have at least one or two trees to provide shelter from the sun and wind, especially during the spring and summer months. Now is the time to cut back on low-angled branches and to clear out some of the top ones too, to allow in more light for dense undergrowth of ground covers, ferns and bulbs.

The treatment would depend on the type of soil – ranging from clay to sand and a range in-between. The different types of soil require different preparation, but it is always a good idea to keep in mind that copying nature is the wisest thing one can do.

In preparation for the new growth in Spring. One of the most important secrets of successful gardening is soil preparation. For example, for the Cape’s winter rains to really benefit the garden, one needs to treat the soil in time.

How to treat different soils

Sandy soils

Generally sandy soils are best prepared with a heavy, coarse mulch, chopped up or half decayed plant material that includes bits of branch, wood chips, leaves and other coarse material.

For the flower garden one cube of coarse mulch per 8 to10 sqm of garden space should do the trick. Spread it over all the exposed soil. If the area is very sandy, first work some of the coarse mulch into the sand about two hands’ width deep and then spread a layer over the top.

Clay soils

With clay soil just add the coarse compost/mulch on top – a nice thick layer.

Do not walk across wet clay - avoid compacting it.

You can do a lot of damage to clay soil by compacting it if you try to dig it when the soil is wet as it is likely to smear and become capped, preventing the free movement of air and reducing drainage.

After a period of wet weather, leave clay soil to dry out but not for too long. There is a near critical point when clay soil is dry enough but not too dry to be able to dig and get a good tilth for small seeds to germinate.

Adding compost to sandy and clay soil will also attract worms and other bugs which will burrow through the soil and improve soil drainage.

Tools to have at hand (in a gardening box)

• Spade • Fork • Rake • A pull through grubber (grob) • Light touch shovel • Grabber or gripper • A chopping hoe, a pick with a square blade.