Time to think of winter protection where
heavy frosts are experienced. In the summer rainfall areas, as there is
now no prospect of rain for the next eight months, start watering shrubs,
roses, fruit trees and vines. Many shrubs and trees are showing there
autumn colours. The stately Liquidambars are rich crimson with touches of
scarlet, the Tulip tree and the Maidenhair tree are pure gold this month,
and in some districts the apricot trees and Lombardy poplars are now a
golden yellow. But perhaps the most spectacular tree of all in autumn is
the Wax tree with its almost indescribable display of colours.
HARDY SUMMER FLOWERING ANNUALS
Water once a week during dry weather and feed once a month with
liquid fertiliser to maintain steady growth. Water in the morning in areas
that experience frost, so that the foliage has time to dry before
WINTER FLOWERING ANNUALS
Feed twice a month with liquid fertiliser. Remove faded flowers
regularly, especially from Iceland poppies, pansies and violas. Water
during dry weather, doing this in the morning in areas that experience
Larkspur and stocks: If the lower leaves turn yellow this
is a sign of nitrogen deficiency. To remedy this give the plants a
dressing LAN. Dissolve 60g of LAN in 5 litres of water and apply to a
square metre. Do this once a month for two or three months, or until the
plants are healthy and green again. Water before and after application.
Sweet peas: Tie the plants to their stakes or trellis as
they grow, and remove tendrils and side shoots so that nutrients are not
wasted on unnecessary growth. Increase the water supply as the plants
grow. Water at least once a week in the summer rainfall areas. Tidy up
plants as they die down, removing old flower stems and dead leaves. Mulch
with compost and water once a month in the summer rainfall areas. Where
plants were attacked by mildew during summer, spray thoroughly with
fungicide. Anemone japonica, Michaelmas daisy and physostegia can still be
lifted this month if they are overcrowded.
SUMMER FLOWERING BULBS
Cannas: Once the foliage has died back, cut the stems down to
ground level. In areas that experience frost cover the plants with a deep
mulch of coarse compost to protect the rhizomes.
Dahlias: As soon as the foliage has died down, cut the
stems down to 15 to 20cm. Tie all labels securely to the stems. If the
tubers are to be left in the ground in the summer rainfall areas cover
them with a deep mulch of coarse compost. If the tubers are to lifted and
stored for winter, first cut off the tails by pushing a sharp spade down
vertically into the ground about 15cm from the stems, then lift carefully.
The tubers can be placed in a trench in the garden and covered with soil.
If they are to be stored in boxes wash the soil off, place the tubers in
the boxes, cover with peat or sand and store them in the garden shed.
Water lightly from time to time during winter. Do not store the tubers
without any covering as they will shrivel and be of no use next season.
Liliums: When the foliage has died down, cut the stems
off and cover the plants with compost. Mark their positions with a ring of
Summer rainfall areas: Water agapanthus, day lilies and
liliums at least once a month.
WINTER FLOWERING BULBS
As the bulbs come up water more frequently, about once a week in
the summer rainfall areas. Water narcissi, daffodils and other exotic
bulbs, which have not yet come up, about twice a month.
Warm frost-free areas: These bulbs can still be planted:
Aristea thyriflora (tall aristea)
Bulbinella latifolia (cat's tail)
Dipidax triquetra (star of the marsh)
Iris (Dutch iris)
Hyacinthus orientalis (hyacinth)
Ipheion uniflorum (star of Bethlehem)
Ixia (wand flower)
Lycoris radiata (spider lily)
Muscari botryoides (grape hyacinth)
Ornithogalum thyrsoides (chincherinchee)
Ranunculus asiaticus (ranunculus)
Schizostylis coccinea (river lily)
Sparaxis (harlequin flower)
Feed calceolarias, cinerarias, cyclamen, daffodils, hyacinths,
jonquils, narcissi, poinsettias and primulas every two weeks with a liquid
fertiliser. Water about every three days or when the soil feels dry.
Discontinue feeding other pot plants if this has not already been done.
Water less frequently, but never let the plants, especially ferns, orchids
and philodendrons, become completely dry.
Once the foliage of amaryllis , caladiums, achimes and tuberous rooted
begonias has died down, reduce watering to a light sprinkling from time to
time to prevent the soil becoming bone dry.
Winter rainfall and warm frost-free areas: Mow if necessary.
Summer rainfall areas: Water the grass about once a
Take hardwood cuttings: Hardwood cuttings that were not taken
last month can still be taken now. These must be of fully matured wood,
which developed in the past spring or early summer. The cutting should be
about 20 cm long after the immature tips have been removed. Cut just below
a node or leaf joint. Remove the leaves from the bottom two thirds of each
Root the cuttings in the open ground. Make a v-shaped trench in the garden
about 15 cm deep and put a thin layer of sand at the bottom. Dip the end
of each cutting into a rooting hormone and then position the cutting in
the trench. Fill the trench with soil, firm it well and then water. In the
summer rainfall areas keep the soil damp, but not saturated, during winter
and early spring until the summer rains starts. The cutting should be
ready to plant in their permanent position in the garden in the winter or
early spring of next year.
Protecting from frost: In areas where frost is
experienced it is necessary to provide winter protection for tender shrubs
such as proteas, beloperones, cupheas, daturas, fuchsias, hibiscus,
Small shrubs can be covered with large cardboard boxes. To protect large
shrubs place four stakes round each shrub and drape hessian over these
every night all through winter. Remove the boxes and hessian covers every
Protect the roots by covering the ground around the plant with a deep
mulch of compost or bark.
Summer rainfall areas: Water azaleas, camellias and all
shrubs from the winter rainfall areas once a week.
Water vegetables regularly during dry weather. Feed with
Multifeed P every two weeks to improve the flavour of the vegetables.
In warm frost-free areas spray tomatoes once a week against blight.
Asparagus: Prepare trenches. Before preparing the trench
clear the ground of perennial weeds such as couch grass. Dig trenches any
convenient length but remember that the crowns must be spaced 45cm apart.
Make the trench 45cm wide and 25 to 30cm deep. Break up the ground at the
bottom of the trench then return the soil, mixing it well with plenty old
sifted compost and/or old, well-rotted manure and a dressing of 2.3.2. at
the rate of 120g per metre of trench.
These vegetables can be sown in the various regions this month:
Gauteng and OFS Highveld
Lowveld and warm frost free areas
OFS and Northern Cape
Kwa Natal Midlands
Eastern Cape and Karoo
Western Cape: Winter rainfall areas