{"id":15521,"date":"2024-03-08T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T06:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/bloemfontein\/?p=15521"},"modified":"2024-02-27T11:17:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T09:17:07","slug":"frilled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/bloemfontein\/blog\/2024\/03\/08\/frilled\/","title":{"rendered":"Frilled!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perk up the patio, harvest herbs and have your pick of fresh frilly lettuce.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Indoor plant of the month<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s time to take tuberous begonias indoors for some long-lasting indoor winter flowers. The large blooms with their frilled petals come in such a huge range of colours that it is almost impossible not to find a colour that will either stand out or tone in with your home\u2019s colour scheme. Being compact, they just need to be popped into a decorative pot as a table top or coffee table feature. Make sure they receive good light in a bright room, but not direct sunlight. Water directly onto the soil, keeping the leaves dry. Keep the soil lightly moist, but not soggy otherwise the roots will rot. Details: www.lvgplant.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

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We\u2019re planting \u2026Geranium Marcada Magenta<\/strong> to perk up the patio for winter. It\u2019s a hardy geranium that flowers effortlessly and will cascade over the edge of hanging baskets and pots. It loves autumns cooler temperatures and is an easy plant for hanging baskets and containers because it likes to be kept drier than most other geraniums. The best is to water it once the soil has dried out slightly. A drench of liquid fertiliser once a month will keep looking good and flowering well. Don\u2019t hang your basket too high, rather have it at shoulder level for easy care and to appreciate all its flowers. A position that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. Details: www.ballstraathof.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

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Veggie of the month<\/strong>
\nWant to grow your own lettuce? This is the month to start sowing this cool season salad veggie. Loose-leaf lettuce is the easiest to grow and the quickest to harvest. Why not plant a mix of red and green-leaved lettuce like Red Sails (RAW seed) which has bright red tips, shading into light maroon and deepening into green toward the base. The leaves are soft and have a buttery flavour. It can be picked at baby- leaf stage, as larger individual leaves or as a full-size lettuce.
\nSow into seedling trays because the seed is very fine and easy to waste if sown in situ. Once the seedlings are big enough to handle (about 10cm high) they can be transplanted, spaced 30cm apart.
\nAll lettuce needs is full sun, fertile soil, and watering at least once or twice a week because it has shallow roots that dry out quickly. Protect plants from the cold (even mild frost) with frost cloth. Details: www.rawliving.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

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Garden tasks for March<\/strong><\/p>\n