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Get your garden summer ready

JOBURG – Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo supplies some handy tips to spruce up your garden this summer.

Summer is here and a way to enjoy the warm weather is to revive your garden or plant one.

There are many benefits to having a garden at home, these include the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment by reducing the impact of global warming and climate change through heat reduction. Plants assist in reducing air pollution by taking in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and releasing oxygen that we need to survive. A garden is also a source of enjoyment that provides a number of health benefits including reduction of stress and anxiety.

A garden can be a source of food for us and it provides shelter for many other species that use gardens for food as well as nesting.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo give residents five helpful tips:

Make a plan

It’s easy to get carried away, so try to plan out the basics of what you want to grow before you go out to get your supplies.

Prepare your gardening area

If you’ve grown a garden before, then your gardening space might be well prepared. However, if you’re starting a new garden, chances are you’ll need to enrich your soil. If your soil is light brown, that’s a sign that it needs some help as organically-rich soil is usually dark brown.

There are two types of fertilizers, organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers feed plants while also building the soil. Soil with lots of organic material remains loose, airy and holds more moisture and nutrients which foster the growth of the soil organisms and promotes healthier plant root development. Ensure that the organic fertilizer is safe and does not contain any weed seeds.

Get planting

Some plants do well if you sow them directly into the ground while others benefit from being planted in containers first that can be brought indoors if it gets cold.

If you’re overwhelmed by all the prep work and aren’t sure about growing your own plants from seed, you can get seedlings that professionals have grown. This is particularly a good route for new gardeners.

Now that your garden is ready, it’s time to take it to the next level.

Mulch

If you’re struggling with weeds, you can create a weed barrier to block them from growing or you can mulch. Mulching keeps weeds out while keeping the moisture in. Mulch the planting area with wood chips, chunk bark, pine needles or shredded leaves. Don’t use plastic beneath the mulch, as matter or air can’t penetrate it.

Ensure the mulch does not touch plant stems as they can rot the plant. Mulching your plants and watering them early in the morning instead of the later in the afternoon will also reduce evaporation and save water. Watering in the evening can make your plants susceptible to fungi attacks.

Be water wise and use water sparingly

Water your garden with a watering can rather than a hosepipe. A hosepipe uses 1 000 litres of water per hour. Consider installing a water drum to your drainpipe and use the water collected to water your plants, clean your car and wash your windows.

ALSO READ: It’s time to swim!

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