Ready to embark on a hot summer gardening adventure, Garden Masters? Then it’s time for us to tune into the natural rhythm of the season with Garden Master’s month-by-month late-summer gardening guide. As we transition from late summer into the embrace of autumn, this guide will assist any Garden Master make their gardens flourish during February, March, April and even beyond. So, pour yourself another summer cocktail and let’s dive right into it.
February: Crafting the Canvas
Vegetables to Plant:
- Tomatoes: Kickstart your edible oasis with varieties of tomatoes! Ensure you pick a sunny spot and enriched soil and use tomato cages for support. Alternatively, opt for herb planters or even tomato boxes. Late summer warmth primes the soil, which will give your tomatoes that rich taste we all love. And the best part? By the time winter arrives, you’ll have plenty of succulent tomatoes to harvest!
- Green Peppers: Want to add some colour to your garden come winter? Add a mix of red, yellow and green peppers to the mix. To ensure that they grow healthy, use a soil mix that drains well and has organic compost. If you plant now, you’ll get a whole spectrum of colours. Late summer warmth will add sweetness to your peppers, creating a rich and diverse harvest!
- Carrots: Begin your carrot cultivating journey by sowing seeds in a seed starter, or directly into rich and loosened soil. Opt for heirloom varieties for a spectrum of colours and flavours. Late summer is the perfect time for carrot seeds to germinate, so plant them now to get a tasty crop in autumn.
Flowers to Plant:
- Marigolds: Want to keep your veggies safe from pests? Go ahead and plant some marigolds around your veggie garden. Not only do they look pretty, but they also serve as natural pest deterrents, especially if you choose French marigolds. Late summer sees an increase in pest activity. That is why marigolds are the perfect addition to your garden.
- Zinnias: Let’s add a dash of colour to the canvas with the gorgeous and elegant variety of zinnias available! These flowers are perfect to attract butterflies and bees, and with late summer’s warmth, they will thrive and add a vibrant touch to your garden – and the best part is, they keep blooming even as autumn approaches!
General Gardening Tips:
- Mulch Magic: Late summer soil retains heat, making mulch essential. Adding a layer of organic mulch helps to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is perfect for promoting optimal plant growth during warm days. Apply about a 5 cm layer of organic mulch to conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Watering Wisdom: Late summer temperatures can be demanding. Give your plants some extra love! Water deeply in the morning to promote strong root development. Consider drip irrigation to maintain consistent moisture levels.
- Fertilising Fundamentals: Late summer is a critical growth period. If you want to ensure a good harvest, use a fertiliser that has a mix of nutrients, especially phosphorus. This will help your plants produce more flowers and fruit.
March: Nurturing the Green Symphony
Vegetables to Plant:
- Beans: Late summer warmth gives beans a jumpstart! Planting them now means you’ll have a steady supply in early autumn. But wait, there’s more! Choose one of two options: Bush beans for a quick harvest or pole beans for vertical elegance! Why not mix it up? And while you’re at it, remember to mix in well-rotten compost into your soil for extra nutrients and a bountiful harvest!
- Spinach: Growing spinach is super easy! Just make sure you sow the seeds in well-draining, nitrogen-rich soil. Don’t forget to pick leaves regularly to keep the plant growing. If you plant the seeds in late summer, you can expect a harvest in autumn. The cooler weather during early autumn is perfect for tender spinach leaves. Just be wary of frost. Consider keeping your seedlings in a grow house for additional protection. Alternatively, invest in a green house for more convenience.
Flowers to Plant:
- Cosmos: These gorgeous flowers thrive in the heat, and are drought tolerant. Therefore, they don’t need lots of water to make your garden pop! They bloom well into autumn and create a visually captivating garden!
- Sunflowers: If you want to add some fun to your garden, just plant some sunflowers! They’re perfect for catching the last bit of summer sun rays! They add a striking display of gold and yellow to any garden, and seeds can be snacked on when they are ready in autumn. Add these as a healthy, nutty addition to any salad. Remember to mix and match different types of sunflowers for a beautiful display that would even make Vincent Van Gogh envious!
General Gardening Tips:
- Pruning Perfection: As we get ready for autumn, it’s important to prune your plants to encourage proper air circulation and sunlight penetration. This helps reduce the risk of diseases. If you see any overcrowded branches, now is the time to trim them off. Your plants will thank you by growing better.
- Pest Vigilance: Late summer is also a time when pests are most active. Keep an eye on these tiny troublemakers, especially aphids or spider mites. You can introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory mites to help control the pests naturally.
- Harvest Ritual: Regularly harvesting during late summer and early autumn is a good idea to encourage further production. So, when you see a ripe tomato or pepper, go ahead. Pick it!
April: Harvesting the Fruits of Your Labour
Vegetables to Plant:
- Aubergine: It’s still warm enough to plant compact aubergine varieties. If space is limited, opt for dwarf varieties. Make sure to provide well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH for optimal growth. You’ll get the best results in early autumn when the temperatures are slightly cooler.
- Herbs: Herbs are easy to grow this time of year, especially in containers. If you harvest them regularly, you’ll get a steady supply of fresh herbs for your cooking throughout autumn and winter. Try planting basil, mint and coriander, and don’t forget to harvest them often to encourage bushier growth and enhance the flavour.
Flowers to Plant:
- Dahlias: Elevate your garden with dahlias of various shapes and colours. Plant tubers in well-drained, fertile soil for spectacular blooms. Plant dahlias as late summer transitions into early autumn. The cooler days encourage robust growth, and their vibrant blooms add elegance to the garden.
- Agapanthus: First up for the April window display, agapanthus! They are hardy, drought-resistant and indigenous! If you want these purple and white beauties to thrive, plant them in early autumn when the weather is cooler. This will give them enough time to establish strong roots before winter arrives. Find a sunny spot with well-drained soil, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, place the plant and backfill with soil. Give them a good watering for their roots to establish.
- Hydrangeas: These gorgeous plants are perfect for adding a pop of colour to your garden. It’s best to plant them in April. This will give them plenty of time to develop strong roots before winter. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and enriched with organic matter. Hydrangeas grow best in partial shade. They also prefer morning sunlight. For the best results, grow them on the north-facing wall of your house. Depending on the variety, the colour of the flowers may change based on the soil pH. If the soil is acidic (with a pH below 6.0), the blooms tend to be blue or lavender-blue. If the soil is alkaline (with a pH above 7.0), the blooms tend to be pink or red. To get purple or bluish-pink blooms, aim for a pH between 6 and 7. To lower the soil pH, you can add some garden sulphur or aluminium sulfate to your soil.
General Gardening Tips:
- Mulch Revitalisation: Let’s face it, nobody likes a dry and dull garden. It starts with the basics. April is the time to give your garden a fresh start! And the secret ingredient? Mulch! It will conserve moisture for the winter months. Use organic materials like dry leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust or pine needles.
- Soil Enrichment Ritual: It’s time to replenish your soil again! This time of the year is the perfect time to do so. Fertilise your soil and give it a nutrient-rich foundation for future growth. Adding compost or well-rotted manure will make your plants sing with joy and add some funk to your garden’s rhythm!
Now sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour, Garden Masters! As you soak up the gloriousness of your thriving garden, let’s take a moment to appreciate the journey there. Each seed sown and bloom admired is a testament to your dedication! Cheers to you, and to the enchanting transformation and flavour that awaits as we transition into autumn! Happy gardening!
Remember to visit your nearest Makro, Game or Builder’s Warehouse and be ready for any season with Garden Master! We would love to see your garden’s progress! Share it with us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!