We’re planting …
Vodacom rose as a perfect match for Pretoria’s spectacular and stately jacaranda’s that line city streets and suburbs as you could wish for. In pre-covid years the jacarandas attracted flower tourists from around the world! For lovers of purple blooms, Vodacom is the most purple of all the roses, producing a profusion of full-petalled, large blooms, on large bushes that rival the Iceberg as an easy growing, disease resistant, low maintenance rose. October is also rose month, and the annual October Rose Festival at Ludwig’s Rose farm is now in its 50th year. Nowhere else can one see as many roses! It’s from Saturday October 1 to Sunday October 10 at Ludwig’s Rose Farm, just off the N1, north of Pretoria (take the Wallmansthal offramp). Entrance is free. Details: ludwigsroses.co.za
Veggie of the month
Tomatoes are by far and away our most popular summer veggie. But did you know that the classic Italian plum tomato – ‘San Marzano’ (RAW seed) – is considered by many chefs to be the best in the world? Its skin is an intense red and peels off easily, and the flesh is firm and almost seedless. For the juiciest fruit, grow these tomatoes in full sun, spaced 50cm apart. The first fruit should be ready for harvest within 60 to 70 days.
To get the most out of your tomatoes, follow these top tips …
- Plant in fertile well-composted soil.
- Space plants well apart for good air circulation. This helps prevent pests and diseases.
- Water regularly so that soil remains consistently moist. Tomato yields suffer if plants receive irregular watering or dry out followed by over watering.
- For the sweetest fruit, let it turn red on the plant. Details: rawliving.co.za
Did you know that the Areca palm releases oxygen at night and absorbs carbon dioxide? So an exceptional choice for indoors, and especially in bedrooms. Such plants refresh the air and help us to get a better night’s sleep. With their graceful, feathery foliage Areca palms can be used as an indoor feature plant throughout the home, even in bathrooms. They like bright, high light and watering when the surface of the potting soil starts to dry out, but don’t let them stand in water. Details: lvgplant.co.za
Garden tasks for October
- Plant out summer bedding colour such as honey-scented alyssum, red bedding salvia, and old fashioned favourites like dahlias, vinca and zinnia.
- Use impatiens ‘Beacon’ or New Guinea impatiens for shady areas.
- Water deeply twice a week and fertilise roses and bedding plants towards the middle of October.
- Mulch beds to keep the soil moist and cool.
- Spread acid compost underneath azaleas and hydrangeas.
- Water shrubs and trees if there is no rainfall.
- Trim spring flowering shrubs that have finished flowering.
- Let the lawn grow slightly longer by setting the lawn mower higher. This helps the lawn become more drought resistant.
* Text: Alice Coetzee
