What to do in your garden in October
October is undoubtedly rose month in South Africa and nothing compares with that first flush of perfect blooms that last so much longer because the sun is not too scorching hot yet.
Many other spring flowering plants like yesterday, today and tomorrow, crab apples, and cherries are also in full bloom; not forgetting the beautiful bearded irises, foxgloves and delphiniums. Luckily, we are all inspired to garden at this time of the year because there is no time to rest for gardeners in October.
If you really want a good return on money spent in the garden this season you need to get cracking and plant this month. This will give you the whole season to reap the rewards of summer with her promise of bountiful blooms, fruits, vegetables and herbs.
It is essential to water your roses thoroughly about two to three times a week and to start feeding for that beautiful October show, using a balanced fertiliser that is high in nitrogen and potassium like 8:1:6. Nitrogen and sufficient water are very important at this time of the year because you want to encourage not only beautiful blooms, but also lots of healthy green leaves to support the roots of your plants, as well as to protect the delicate stems from sunburn during our hot summer days. Mulching is also vital to conserve moisture and to keep the roots cool.