This is the month for chilli-heads to sow some heat. Capsicums germinate best in warm soil (minimum temperature 20C) and the varieties available from seed are mind boggling. For newbies in the chilli stakes, a good variety to start with is Hungarian Hot Wax – they won’t burn your mouth to smithereens, or the mild to hot Cubanelle, Chinese 5 Colour or Shishito green chilli pepper. Only the very daring should opt for Trinidad Scorpion or Carolina Reaper. The names are a warning!
To grow: Sow seed into small 10cm pots to allow seedlings to grow into sturdy plants before being transplanted into a bigger pot or into the ground. Sow two to three plants per pot. Seeds will germinate within seven to 20 days (depending on variety) and the soil must be kept moist during germination. When the first true leaves appear and are big enough to handle transplant the seedlings into bigger pots or into the soil spaced 40cm apart.
Chillies need full sun, well-drained soil and regular watering, especially when flowering so that they don’t drop their flowers (which means no fruit). Most chillies grow 50 to 60cm tall and the fruit should be ready for harvest within 120 to 160 days. Details: kirchoffs.co.za or rawliving.co.za
We’re planting … Zinnia Zesty because it displays huge, vibrantly coloured flowers throughout Summer into Autumn. The fully double blooms are reminiscent of traditional zinnias.
These sun-loving plants are neat and upright, growing up to 60cm tall, and will brighten borders and mixed plantings as well as looking good in containers. Pollinators love their flowers. Plant in soil that drains well, water regularly but don’t over-water and fertilise once a month during Summer. Details: ballstraathof.co.za
There is something so summery about Peperomia Watermelon. Its rounded leaves look as crisp and cool as mini-watermelons and plants stay rounded and compact, perfect for table tops, counters and office desks.
Bright, indirect light is perfect for these plants. Water when the surface of the soil feels dry but don’t let the pots stand in water. Feed with a liquid fertiliser once a month in Summer to encourage new leaves. Details: lvgplant.co.za
October garden tasks
- Plant new roses, Summer annuals and perennials this month. Annuals that grow quickly from seed are alyssum, cosmos, lavatera, portulaca, California poppy, and nasturtium. They all do best in full sun.
- Fertilise perennials with a granular fertiliser like Vigorosa 5:1:5 or 3:1:5, and annuals with a liquid fertiliser. Use either pink or blue hydrangea food for hydrangeas.
- Mow lawns at least once a week, but if it is very hot and dry mow less frequently and set blades higher
- Water regularly and spread a layer of mulch over beds to conserve water and keep the roots cool.
- Keep flowering roses neat by cutting off dead blooms, fertilise with a rose fertiliser by the middle of October and water deeply during hot, dry weather. Control pests with an organic insecticide like Ludwig’s Insect Spray or Margaret Roberts Organic Insecticide.
