August garden work
Established Lawns:
When frost is over, mow the lawn extremely short. This may look alarming, but will result in good growth in the coming season. Rake or brush out with a stiff brush, any dead and matted material, then push the tines of a garden fork into the lawn so that air and water can reach the roots. Bare patches which were subject to heavy traffic should be dug over,
and the dead grass removed. Bring in good soil and plant it with grass, or cut squares of turf from other parts of the garden.
At this time, it is essential to encourage the roots to grow well, and an application of general fertilizer such as 2:3:2 or 3:2:1 (100 g per square meter) followed by a thorough drenching will do this. A slow release should be used if there is a shortage of water, as it is not necessary to water immediately after application.
A good growth of grass will help to keep the weeds down, but weeding should still be carried out on a regular basis. Weedicides are of great help, and broad-leafed herbicides can be applied. Good soakings should be given and, later in the season, a fertilizer high in nitrogen or urea can be applied.
New Lawns:
Aim for a clean uncluttered look, with no fussy beds to break the flow. Soil must be prepared by breaking up any lumps, then raking it over to make sure the surface is level. Add 2:3:2 (50 g per square meter) and rake it in, in two directions.
If seeds are to be sown, scatter them evenly over the raked surface, then gently rake them in by drawing the rake in two directions. The quickest way of establishing a new lawn is to buy ‘instant lawn’, which is expensive, but time saving. Regular and ruthless weeding must take place from now on, and watering should be gentle. Keep the mower blades at a height of about 10 cm for the first mowing.
Roses:
Check roses for die-back, and cut back to the nearest healthy bud.
Fruit:
Deciduous fruit trees should be given a dressing of 2:3:2, which should not be allowed to touch the trunk, and reach as far as the drip line. Follow this with a thorough soaking and lay down a good layer of mulch. Remove any spindly growth from fruit trees. Litchis, mangoes and mulberries will benefit greatly from a thick mulch.
General:
Hippeastrums can be repotted into pots only slightly larger than the existing one. Ground covers may need to be divided if there is any sign of woodiness. Take out the woody center of the plants, then give an
application of compost, and water well. Cut poinsettias hard back after flowering. Shape spent winter flowering shrubs. Repot pot plants if they are overcrowded. Take out any old or damaged fronds on ferns.
Outdoor ferns should be given a mulch and watered.
Cut back any leggy dracaenas to two healthy buds, and plant the cut pieces. Prepare beds for seedlings. Add plenty of organics and a good sprinkling of superphosphates. Keep the beds watered so that weeds will grow and can be destroyed. Take cuttings of maples, prunus and hydrangeas, while they are dormant. However, if there is sign of new life in maples, leave them, as the sap flows well and bleeds.
August can be a windy month, so stake all tall plants. In the Western Cape, spread straw or pine needles on earthen paths to prevent slipping. For peach leaf curl, apply a copper spray before the leaves open. This is very important, as once the leaves appear, it is too late to treat them. Check for aphids, scale and mealybug on ferns, and either remove them by hand or paint with methylated spirits.
Goodluck and feel free to contact us for help!
info@landscaping-pros.co.za