Izinyoni Indigenous Nursery Shares Tips on how to Get Your Lawn Ready for the Summer

“Officially the last month of spring, November saw many rainy days, and as such, the garden is not frequented as much as in dry weather,” said Gareth Hampson of the Izinyoni Indigenous Nursery, at the Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh.
 
Hampson added that the result of this is waterlogged gardens and an infestation of weeds and pests. He said that the rain can spoil flowering plants and cause fungal diseases and rot in plants. There would also be an overgrowth of perennial weeds in lawn areas and because of all the rain, lawns and plants are nutrient deficient due to leaching.
 
He gave the following tips for gardening in December.
•    Plan a fertilizer and organic material top dressing programme for plants and lawns.
•    Add lime to garden beds as this will rectify any acidic problems and help reduce ant populations in the garden.
•    Mulching whenever and wherever possible as this would prevent soil from drying out in the hot months to come.
•    Weed control is especially important at this time of year – plan a weed program for summer.
•    Scout the garden for pests and diseases; quick reaction time is paramount in controlling any problems that may be detected.
•    Continue with dead-heading as it is a never ending process.
•    Clip or prune hedges regularly.
•    Trim lawn edges regularly to prevent grass from invading flowerbeds.
With regards to lawn care, Hampson said that when soil problems exist under a lawn, there are ways to address them without tearing up the lawn. He advised the following:
 
Fertilizing is an important lawn care practice. Not only does it influence the grass colour, but also its ability to recover from stress. It also helps prevent weed invasions and disease.
 
It is important to eliminate existing weed problems on the site. Perennial weeds need to be controlled prior to lawn seeding, sodding or fertilizing. Weed control options include digging by hand, repeated soil tillage or using selective (McPa) or a systemic (moves within plant) nonselective herbicide, such as glyphosate, sold as Roundup and other trade names. Organic products are becoming more popular as well. It is most important to read, understand and follow all label directions whenever using any type of control product to be sure you will be getting the expected level of control necessary.
 
Amend poor soils such as heavy clay, by adding organic matter and lime. Sources include compost, rotted manure, peat and quality topsoil.
 
Regular mowing can become a bit of a challenge with all of the rainfall. Mow whenever weather conditions permit. Don’t let the grass grow too long.
 
The Izinyoni Indigenous Nursery stocks all types of fertilizers, lime and mulch, as well as growing medium for lawns and plants. The nursery also stocks hundreds of indigenous plants, which are perfect for revitalizing the wildlife in your garden.  Why not spoil your loved ones over the festive season by giving them a gift voucher available from the nursery, where they can purchase what they like to personalize their gardens. For more information please visit www.izinyoni-nursery.co.za.