Prepare your garden for autumn

The crisp morning air and longer nights are signs that autumn has arrived in all its glory. This can be a very colourful time in the garden with autumn foliage covering trees in rich hues of gold, red, maroon and plum.

So, to ensure a glorious autumn garden, there might still be a few tasks to perform.

“According to our horticultural expert, every garden has its own microclimate. And it’s the gardener’s responsibility to ensure this microclimate is favourable for the plants – especially during the colder seasons,” said owner of Flowers, Seeds and Busy Bees Nursery, Thelma Botha.

Before all else, it’s important to know that plants are divided into three main categories namely hardy, semi-hardy (sub-tropical), and tender (tropical).

While hardy plants are known to survive the more extreme weather conditions, sub-tropical and tropical plants might need some extra protection against the cold to survive. A few tender plants include Mandevilla, Poinsettia and Hibiscus.

“This can be done by placing all plants in containers against north-facing walls. This is because our wind comes from the south. The wall protects the plant from the cold and strong winds. Keep in mind that this can only be done with sun-loving plants,” the nursery expert said.

Secondly plant lovers might want to consider mulching their greens. This is especially important for those semi-hardy and tender plants. The mulch serves as protection against frost by keeping the moisture locked in the ground and keeping the roots warm.

Applying a layer of mulch is one of the best things you can do for your plants. In addition to retaining moisture and acting as an insulator, it also suppresses weeds and has many natural benefits. Foliage, plastic, compost or stones can be used to achieve the same result.

If you want to fertilise your plants, it’s important to first layer the fertiliser, and finish it off with a layer of mulch to keep it protected from frost.

If your plant is still young, rather cover it by planting several upward-facing sticks of around 30cm each and placing a frost cover over the top, giving the plant space to grow.

“While you should refrain from watering your plants too much in winter, never let the soil dry out completely. But when you do water, water it well. At least 20% of the water should go through your plant/ pot, to ensure it reaches all the roots,” Thelma advised.

“When feeding your plants, salts tend to build up in the soil. When watering correctly, you wash out these salts that may harm the plant over time. The best rule of thumb is to feel the soil. When it’s dry, you water it.”

As for the indoor babies, it’s crucial for them to receive as much light as possible. Especially with the cold approaching, you might want to place them in front a window that receives a lot of direct sunlight.

While it’s easy to neglect our gardens when the temperatures drop, many enthusiasts consider autumn one of best seasons to garden. So, what are you waiting for? Get your gardening tools and watering can ready to welcome the new season to your garden.