As the air gets colder and the leaves start changing colour, many gardens begin their hibernation, as do many gardeners. But just because winter is on its way, doesn’t mean that your garden can’t be as full of life as in the middle of spring! Many of our winter days in South Africa are sunny and bright so don’t hang up your gardening tools just yet, winter gardening is just as rewarding.
Given the right nutrients, sunlight and water, there are many different crops and plants that thrive in the winter and plant season is definitely not over. If you’re looking to plant some winter fruit and vegetables then look no further, here are some varieties that grow best in the colder months:
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Peas
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Mustard greens
- Kale
- Turnips
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Oranges
Why not set aside some garden space for these delicious fruits and veggies? Just make sure they have all they need to thrive. Using the appropriate fertilisers is essential to making your winter garden thrive. Look out for products like SeaBrix that contain essential nutrients that your plants need to grow. And don’t worry, SeaBrix is made from natural products, ensuring that your plants stay healthy and happy whatever the season.
In some areas of South Africa, winter can mean the driest time of the year, it’s therefore important to remember the water requirements of your plants. Broad beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, lettuce, onions, radish, Swiss chard, and turnips are all water wise winter vegetables that you can plant in our coldest months. These plants fair well across the country but sometimes they need a little more help when it comes to providing their water needs. Make sure you know what each crop needs when it comes to water and if you are ever in doubt, don’t worry. There are many products that can ensure that the roots of your plants are getting the moisture they need, products such as Integrate. Integrate is a bio-friendly soil surfactant that maximizes distribution and retention of water in the root zone for optimal plant care.
If you’re not into growing your own vegetables but you hate to see the dreary greys and browns of winter creeping into our garden, there are many different plants that add a splash of colour! Your winter garden doesn’t need to be grand or elaborate to add in some life, sometimes just a pot of colourful flowers can bring beauty to the dreariness of the season. Here are a few winter flowering plants that can brighten up your garden:
- Azaleas
- Camellias
- Daises
- Gladiolous
- Pansies
- Roses
- Proteas
- Tulips
And if you’re bothered about your blooms, never fear, Biogrow has you covered. Using Biotrissol on your budding beauties is a sure fire way to know that your flowers will be blooming to their last. With a special formulation made from fermented sugar beets, Biotrissol is a natural fertiliser that keeps the blooms blooming without causing damage to the plant or the soil.
So what are you waiting for? As the weather gets cold, don’t huddle inside, get out there and get gardening! Bring life back into your winter garden this year!