12-08-2025
Seasonal shift
Garden tasks
As winter crops go over, enrich the soil with compost in preparation for spring planting.
Increase watering to once a week as temperatures rise.
Fertilise perennials, shrubs and lawn with a granular fertiliser and seedlings with a liquid fertiliser
Check the ties of standard roses and all other standard plants that are supported by stakes and stake newly planted trees.
Veggie of the month
Honeynut squash looks like a mini butternut but is twice as flavourful, with a sweet, rich deep orange flesh and a soft edible skin. Each squash is about 12cm long (the size of a small hand) and is a single serve or just enough for two. Simply cut the squash in half and bake or steam.
For an early start, sow indoors in seed trays and transplant seedlings after the last frost in September or direct sow late September or early October. Plants are more compact than traditional butternut and pumpkin but still need space for the vines to spread or be trained upwards. They grow well in large containers. For adequate pollination by wind or insects, grow at least three squash plants; the more the better.
Plants are most productive when grown in full sun and in fertile soil that drains well. Fertilise once the flowers start to form. The fruit changes colour from dark green to green and gold and finally a honey orange. The squashes are ready for harvesting within 100 days of germination and when the stalk is slightly dried. Details:
Indoor plant of the month
Begonia Polka Dot is one of those happy, quirky plants that are nice to have around, especially when August seems to go on forever, with no sign of spring. Place it in a warm room that receives bright light, even filtered sunlight (but not direct sun), that will show up the rusty red colour underneath the leaves. Plants like lightly moist soil, so be careful of over watering. Once a week in summer should be adequate. Feed with a liquid fertiliser once a month in summer to bring out more of those lush leaves and sprays of white flowers. Details:
We're planting …
The doubled-flowered Euphorbia Hypericifolia Flurry that has tiny snowflake white flowers. It looks like a snowball but doesn't melt in the heat. This garden toughie is ideal for waterwise gardens and it can be planted almost anywhere because it grows in full sun and is also shade tolerant. Plant in free-draining soil or in pots if the garden soil is on the clay side. It flowers non-stop, even in winter in warm, frost-free gardens as well as in sheltered containers. Water lightly and fertilise once a month. Details:
For more on gardening, visit Get It Magazine.
