Autumn and winter gardening

When is the best time for gardening on the
highveld? Normally people wait for spring to
arrive, but this is already too late.

In my experience autumn is the best time to do
garden development and general gardening. This
does not say that autumn is the only time to do
gardening, definately not, but it is far more
benificial than waiting for spring, which can be up
to 3 months, too late.

Specific autumn and winter garden tasks are:

• Planting of new and hardy trees, shrubs an plants.
• Adding mulch and a slow release fertiliser.
• Removing of low hanging tree branches.
• Pruning back of summer and atumn flowering plants.
• Hard landscaping work.
• Transplanting, dividing and multiplication of plants.
• Aeration of soil.

Plants are not totally dormant during winter time. There is some plant root development during this period and more active water and food transportation in the plant, is already starting from the middle of July. Therefore don't neglect watering during the winter months, only reduce the amount of water.