Time to tidy up, protect and plant out Winter flowering annuals.
INDOOR PLANT OF THE MONTH
Dracaena marginata is also known as the Dragon Tree and originates from Madagascar. With its spiky sword like leaves and slender stems, it will stand out on its own or among a collection of indoor plants. It grows slowly when indoors and can be pruned to keep it to the desired height. Just cut down to the required height and new branches will sprout underneath the cuts. It likes a warm, bright room, with some filtered sun but no direct sun on its leaves. Water moderately so that the soil doesn’t dry out completely or become waterlogged. Plants don’t need fertilising in Winter but it can be given a boost of liquid fertiliser at the beginning of Spring. Details: lgvplant.co.za
VEGGIE OF THE MONTH
Micro Greens Oriental Mix is a tasty assortment of spicy and peppery mustard microgreens that can be grown in a tray on a sunny windowsill or patio table. The mix of rocket and red mustard, coriander, Mizuna, Hon Tsai Tai and Asian cabbage will provide a zesty garnish for salads and sandwiches, meat dishes and stir fries – in fact any dish that needs a lift. Sow thickly in a seed tray and keep moist. Enclosing the seed tray in a plastic bag will create the ideal moist microclimate. Germination should be within 7 to 14 days and you can start harvesting within in 15 days. Snip off the greens with sharp scissors and sow a new tray every two weeks for a continuous supply. Details: rawliving.co.za
WE’RE PLANTING…
Petchoa BeautiCal Sunset Orange for its brilliant autumn coloured flowers. This cross between a petunia and calibrachoa has the flower power of a calibrachoa but large flowers like the petunia. Plants are also more tolerant of wet weather. The mounded compact growth of Sunset Orange suits containers and hanging baskets and it will also perform well in the garden, keeping its neat shape. It needs plenty of sun and regular watering but be careful of over watering. Fertilise once a month to encourage new flowers. Details: ballstraathof.co.za
GARDEN TASKS FOR JUNE
- Plant out Winter flowering annuals like pansies, violas, petunias, alyssum, and fairy primulas.
- Water once a week, especially daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs. • Cut down cannas and dahlias. • Tidy up other perennials and trim shrubs and trees to let in more sun. • This is the best month to move or plant summer-flowering shrubs, rose bushes, perennials and even small trees.• Protect tender or semi-tender plants from frost with frost guard cloth.
